Histomorphometrical and histochemical studies on the omasum of adult Bakerwali goat, non-descript goats and non-descript sheep of Jammu region: A comparative adaptational perspective

Document Type : Full paper (Original article)

Authors

Division of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, SKUAST-Jammu, R.S. Pura, Jammu, India

10.22099/ijvr.2026.52551.7846

Abstract

Background: The omasum absorb water, electrolytes, volatile fatty acids by regulating the flow of digesta from the reticulum to the abomasum. In the Jammu region, small ruminants are raised under various agro-climatic conditions. Sheep mainly graze, while goats primarily browse. Such differences in feeding habits influences anatomy of digestive tract, especially the omasum. Studying omasum structure helps explain differences in digestive efficiency, nutrient utilization, and environmental adaptation among these species. Aims: The present study aimed to compare anatomy of omasum in Bakerwali goats, non-descript goats and non-descript sheep and help develop breed-specific management strategies. Methods: Gross morphological, biometrical, histomorphological, micrometrical and histochemical studies were undertaken. Samples were fixed and processed for standard histological procedures and stained with various stains for histological and micrometrical observations. Results: Omasum was laterally compressed oval to bean-shaped sac in all the three species. Internally, omasum was characterized by omasal laminae. The 4th order laminae were prominent in adult non-descript sheep. Lateral surface of the 1st order laminae presented ridges running parallel to the free concave border in adult non-descript sheep. Total empty weight, capacity and number of omasal laminae was significantly highest in non-descript sheep. Histologically, omasal laminae were thickest in non-descript sheep and thinnest in non-descript goats. Conclusion: The present research extends the depth of the knowledge regarding anatomy of omasum. The anatomical differences in the omasum between browsers and grazers can be correlated to their digestive physiology.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

Bello, A; Joseph, OA; Onua, JE; Onyeanusib, BI; Umaru, MA and Bodinga, HA (2020). Anatomical changes of the development of red Sokoto goat stomach. Insights Vet. Sci., 4: 004-009.
Bost, J (1970). Omasal physiology. In: Phillipson, AT (Ed.), Physiology of digestion and metabolism in the ruminant. (3rd Edn.), Newcastle upon Tyne: Oriel Press. PP: 52-65.
Brody, I (1964). Cytoplasmic components in the psoriatic horny layers with special reference to electron microscopic findings. In: Montagna, W and Lobitz Jr, WC (Eds.), The Epidermis. New York, Academic Press. PP: 551-572.
Chandrasekar, V; Narayanan, P; Lalitha, PS and Vijayaragavan, C (1993). Comparative gross anatomy of the omasum of sheep and goats. Small Rum. Res., 9: 377-388.
Chungath, JJ; Radhakrishnan, K; Ommer, PA and Paily, L (1985). Histological studies on caprine fore-stomach. Kerala J. Vet. Sci., 16: 41-46.
Clauss, M; Hofmann, RR; Hummel, J; Adamczewski, J; Nygren, K; Pitra, C; Streich, WJ and Reese, S (2006). Macroscopic anatomy of the omasum of free-ranging moose (Alces alces) and muskoxen (Ovibos moschatus) and a comparison of the omasal laminae surface area in 34 ruminant species. J. Zool., 270: 346-358.
Clauss, M; Lechner-Doll, M and Streich, WJ (2003). Ruminant diversification as an adaptation to the physicomechanical characteristics of forage: a reevaluation of an old debate and a new hypothesis. OIKOS, 102: 253-262.
Demment, MW and Van Soest PJ (1985). A nutritional explanation for body size patterns of ruminant and nonruminant herbivores. Am. Nat., 125: 641-672.
Dyce, KM; Sack WO and Wensing, CJG (2010). Textbook of Veterinary Anatomy. 4th Edn., St. Louis, Missouri, Saunders Elsevier. PP: 680-695.
El-Gendy, SAA and Derbalah, A (2010). Macroscopic and microscopic anatomy of the omasum of the Baladi goat. J. Appl. Biol. Sci., 4: 37-45.
Engelhardt, WV and Hauffe, R (1975). Role of the omasum in absorption and secretion of water and electrolytes in sheep and goats. In: McDonald, IW and Warner, ACI (Eds.), Digestion and metabolism in the ruminant. Proceedings of the 4th International Symposium on Ruminant Physiology, The University of New England Publishing Unit. PP: 216-230.
Eurell, JA and Frappier, BL (2006). Dellmann’s textbook of veterinary histology. 4th Edn., Washington, Blackwell Publishing Limited, Inc., PP: 190-195.
Fadel Elseed, AMA; Amin, AE; Khadiga, A; Ati, AA; Sekine, J; Hishinuma, M and Hamana, K (2002). Nutritive evaluation of some fodder tree species during the dry season in Central Sudan. Asian-Australian J. Anim. Sci., 15: 844-950.
Gordon, J (2003). Browsing and grazing ruminants: are they different beasts? For. Ecol. Manage., 181: 13-21.
Hofmann, RR (1973). The ruminant stomach. Stomach structure and feeding habits of East African game ruminants. Vol. 2, East Afr. Monogr Biol., East Afr. Literature Bureau. Nairobi, Kenya. PP: 1-364.
Hofmann, RR (1989). Evolutionary steps of ecophysiological adaptation and diversification of ruminants: a comparative view of their digestive system. Oecologia. 78: 443-457.
Hofmann, RR and Stewart, DRM (1972). Grazers and browsers: a classification based on the stomach structure and feeding habits of East African ruminants. Mammalia. 36: 226-240.
Jelinek, K (1995). Developmental dynamics of the caprine (Capra aegagrus F. hircus) Forestomach in postnatal period. J. Acta Vet. Brno. 64: 49-61.
Lakshmishree, KT (2014). Gross and histomorphological studies on forestomach of wild ruminants in comparison with domestic ruminants. Ph.D. Thesis, KVAFSU, Bidar, Karnataka. PP: 73-128.
Langer, P (1988). The mammalian herbivore stomach. Stuttgart, New York, Gustav Fischer Verlag. P: 557.
Luna, LG (1968). Manual of histological staining methods of armed forces institute of pathology. 3rd Edn., New York, McGraw Hill Book Company. PP: 34-157.
Machado, MRF and Oliveira, FS (2008). Gross anatomy of the stomach of the marsh deer. Braz. J. Morphol. Sci., 25: 1-34.
Mahendrakumar, ST (2017). Gross, biometrical and histological studies on the ruminant stomach of the Surti goat (Capra hircus). MVSc Thesis, College of Veterinary Science & A.H., Anand Agricultural University, Anand. PP: 37-40.
Mahesh, R (2008). Histology, histochemistry and scanning electron microscopy of the stomach of goat (Capra hircus). MVSc Thesis, CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar.
Malik, SA; Rajput, R; Farooq, UB; Rafiq, M and Aamir, M (2018). Biometrical, histological and histochemical studies on omasum of Gaddi sheep. J. Anim. Res., 8: 125-129.
McSweeney, CS (1988). A comparative study of the anatomy of the omasum in domesticated animals. Aust. Vet. J., 65: 205-207.
Mosavat, N and Chamani, M (2013). A review: Comparison between grazing behavior of cattle and sheep. Glob. J. Biodivers. Sci. Manag., 3: 138-140.
Nurliani, A; Budipitojo, T and Kusindarta, DL (2015). Morphological characteristics of the stomach of swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Aceh Int. J. Sci. Technol., 4: 78-82.
Nwaogu, IC and Ezeasor, DN (2008). Morphological studies on rumen development in West African Dwarf goats (Capra hircus). Sokoto J. Vet. Sci., 7: 1-6.
Pachpande, AM (2008). Gross anatomical, histological and histochemical changes in the gastrointestinal tract during postnatal period in goat (Capra hircus). Ph.D. Thesis, Bombay Veterinary College, MAFSU, Nagpur. PP: 44, 53-54, 73-76, 91-92, 112-116.
Pasiquini, C; Spurgeon, T and Pasquini, S (1989). Anatomy of domestic animals-systemic and regional approach. 5th Edn., U.S.A., Sudz Publishing. PP: 269-274.
Pasquini, C; Spurgeon, T and Pasquini, S (2003). Anatomy of domestic animals. Systemic and regional approach. 10th Edn., U.S.A., Sudz Publishing. PP: 272-273.
Perez, W and Jerbi, H (2012). Gross anatomy of the stomach of the Oryx dammah (Cretzschmar, 1826). Am. J. Anim. Vet. Sci., 7: 12-15.
Perez, W and Vazquez, N (2012). Gross anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract in the brown brocket deer (Mazama gouazoubira). J. Morphol. Sci., 29: 148-150.
Poonia, A; Kumar, P and Kumar, P (2012). Histological studies on the omasum of the sheep (Ovis aries). Indian J. Vet. Anat., 24: 95-98.
Samuelson, DA (2007). Ruminant stomach. In: Textbook of veterinary histology. (1st Edn.), U.S.A., Saunders Elsevier. PP: 333-335.
Snedecor, CW and Cochran, WG (1994). Statistical methods. 9th Edn., Ames, Lowa, Lowa State University Press. P: 503.
Solaiman, SG (2010). Goat science and production. 1st Edn., Iowa, Wiley-Blackwell. PP: 88-97.
Stafford, KJ (1995). The stomach of the Samber deer (Cervus
unicolor unicolor). Anat. Histol. Embryol., 24: 241-249.
Wright, W and Illius, AW (1995). A comparative study of the fracture properties of five grasses. Funct. Ecol., 9: 269-278. https://doi.org/10.2307/2390573.
Yamamoto, Y; Kitamura, N; Yamada, J; Andren, A and Yamashita, T (1994). Morphological study of the surface of the omasal laminae in cattle, sheep and goats. Anat. Histol. Embryol., 23: 166-176.
Yamamoto, Y; Kitamura, N; Yamada, J and Yamashita, T (1993). Histochemical localization of glycosaminoglycans in the omasal papillae of sheep. Histol. Histopathol., 8: 279-284.

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics