Enzymatic basis for active transport of Na+ in the sweat gland unit.

The presence of specific adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) is demonstrated in the eccrine sweat gland units in the scalp of the rhesus monkey (0.2 moles/kg dry wt/hr) and in the sole of the pigtail macaque (1 mole/kg dry wt/hr). This ATPase is activated by combination of Na+ and K+, and this activation is counteracted by ouabain (10(-5) M) which is a specific inhibitor of Na+ transport. Thus, the occurrence of Na-K-ATPase in the sweat gland unit provides an enzymatic basis for participation of active transport of Na+ in the tissue.