The analysis of human sweat proteins by isoelectric focusing. I. Sweat collection utilizing the macroduct system demonstrates the presence of previously unrecognized sex-related proteins.

Abstract

The presence of high concentrations of sodium in the sweat of patients with cystic fibrosis is widely accepted by all investigators as one of the most important manifestations of the genetic defect. However, the simple means of sweat collection utilized for diagnostic purposes has been extended to the biochemical and physical analysis of the macromolecular components of human sweat. The most popular technique for the attainment of sweat has been collection of sweat droplets from the skin surface following heat stimulation. In this report, it is demonstrated that a far superior means of sweat collection exists based on a new collection device called the MACRODUCT. Utilizing this device, in conjunction with thin-layer isoelectric focusing, demonstrated that human sweat contains sex-specific proteins expressed in adult males and absent or greatly decreased from females and prepubertal males. Additionally, results are presented which suggest that the presence of epidermal keratins are an excellent marker for sweat contaminated with nonsweat gland-derived macromolecules.