The secretory coil or base, is set deep in the lower dermis and hypodermis, and the entire gland is surrounded by adipose tissue.

[16] Each sweat gland receives several nerve fibers that branch out into bands of one or more axons and encircle the individual tubules of the secretory coil.

Apocrine glands cover the rest of the body, though they are not as effective as humans' in temperature regulation (with the exception of horses').

Their apocrine glands, like those in humans, produce an odorless oily milky secretion evolved not to evaporate and cool but rather coat and stick to hair so odor-causing bacteria can grow on it.

[23] Eccrine glands on their foot pads, like those on palms and soles of humans, did not evolve to cool either but rather increase friction and enhance grip.

[25] Eccrine sweat glands are everywhere except the lips, ear canal, foreskin, glans penis, labia minora, clitoral hood, and clitoris.

They are ten times smaller than apocrine sweat glands, do not extend as deeply into the dermis, and excrete directly onto the surface of the skin.

The total volume of sweat produced depends on the number of functional glands and the size of the surface opening.

The degree of secretory activity is regulated by neural and hormonal mechanisms (men sweat more than women).

When all of the eccrine sweat glands are working at maximum capacity, the rate of perspiration for a human being may exceed three liters per hour,[28] and dangerous losses of fluids and electrolytes can occur.

Rather than opening directly onto the surface of the skin, apocrine glands secrete sweat into the pilary canal of the hair follicle.

[35] In mammals (including humans), apocrine sweat contains pheromone-like compounds to attract other organisms within their species.

Study of human sweat has revealed differences between men and women in apocrine secretions and bacteria.

[39] Apoeccrine glands, found in the armpits and perianal region, have ducts opening onto the skin surface.

[49] On the other hand, the apocrine sweat has a pH of 6 to 7.5; it contains water, proteins, carbohydrate waste material, lipids, and steroids.

[29] Sweating on the palms and soles is thought to have evolved as a fleeing reaction in mammals: it increases friction and prevents slipping when running or climbing in stressful situations.

[58][49] Antiperspirants, which are classified as drugs, cause proteins to precipitate and mechanically block eccrine (and sometimes apocrine) sweat ducts.

[49] On apocrine glands, antiperspirants also contain antibacterial agents such as trichlorocarbanilide, hexamethylene tetramine, and zinc ricinoleate.