What do apocrine sweat glands produce?

Apocrine sweat glands primarily produce secretions that contain not only sweat but also cellular material, including bits of cytoplasm, which play a significant role in body odor. These glands are located in specific regions of the body, such as the axillary (underarm) and genital areas. The secretion from apocrine glands is thicker and richer in proteins and lipids compared to the more watery secretion produced by eccrine sweat glands.

When the secretions from apocrine glands are broken down by bacteria on the skin's surface, they can produce odoriferous compounds, which is why apocrine sweat is often associated with body odor. This process highlights the unique function of apocrine sweat glands in relation to skin microbiota and body odor development.