The effect of sweat sample storage condition on sweat content

Lisa Klous, Mireille Folkerts, Hein Daanen*, Nicola Gerrett

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to JournalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Due to time and logistical constraints sweat samples cannot always be analyzed immediately. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of storage temperature and duration on sweat electrolyte and metabolite concentrations. Twelve participants cycled for 60 min at 40 W.m−2 in 33°C and 65% RH. Using the absorbent patch technique, six sweat samples were collected from the posterior torso. Sweat from the six samples was mixed, divided again over six samples and placed in sealed vials. Sweat sodium, chloride, potassium, ammonia, lactate and urea concentrations in one sample were determined immediately. Two samples were stored at room temperature (~25°C, 42% RH) for 7 and 28 days respectively. The remaining samples were frozen at −20°C for 1 h, 7 or 28 days respectively before analysis. Sweat sodium, chloride, potassium and urea concentrations were not affected by storage temperature and duration. Sweat lactate decreased (−1.8 ± 1.8 mmol.L−1, P = 0.007) and ammonia concentrations increased (5.1 ± 3.9 mmol.L−1, P = 0.017) after storage for 28 days at 25°C only. The storage temperature and duration did not affect sodium, chloride, potassium and urea concentrations. However, sweat samples should not be stored for longer than 7 days at 25°C to obtain reliable sweat lactate and ammonia concentrations. When samples are frozen at −20°C, the storage duration could be extended to 28 days for these components.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)254-261
JournalTemperature
Volume8
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Jan 2021

Funding

This work was supported by Eurostars under grant number 17213; and by The Dutch Research Council (NWO) under grant number 690462. We would like to thank Suzanne Weijers (Amsterdam UMC) for analyzing the sweat samples and all participants who dedicated their time to this project.

FundersFunder number
Eurostars17213
Nederlandse Organisatie voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek690462

    Keywords

    • Duration
    • electrolytes
    • metabolites
    • sweat composition
    • sweat storage
    • temperature

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of sweat sample storage condition on sweat content'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this