Goat/Sheep Digestive System and Its Functions

Goat/Sheep Digestive System and Its Functions – Understanding the digestive system is a process where the breakdown of nutrients in the form of large molecules into simple molecules so that they can be easily absorbed and used by organisms for survival in the goat/sheep body.

The digestive system of goats/sheep is generally the same as other ruminants such as cows, buffaloes and so on. The digestive system of goats/sheep includes the mouth, esophagus (esophagus), stomach (rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum), small intestine, appendix (cecum), large intestine (colon).

Goat/Sheep Digestive System Parts and Sequence

1. Mouth

The mouth is the first place where feed enters the animal's body, which is where the mechanical grinding of food occurs. There are two types of saliva in the mouth, namely:

• Organic components include proteins in the form of enzymes, amylase, maltase, serum albumin, kretinin, mucin, amino acids, lactic acid, lysosomes and several hormones.
• Inorganic components which include sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate.

The main function of saliva is to assist in swallowing, soften food, and speed up the grinding of food in the mouth.

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2. Stomach

There are four stomachs in goat/sheep ruminants, which are as follows:

• Rumen: has an absorptive surface, is lined by papillae, consists of four pockets and zones. The main function of the rumen is a place for rumen microbial fermentation, absorption (VFA and ammonia), food storage and mixing.
• Reticulum: located at the border with the rumen, but between the two there is no wall but only a fold so that the feed particles are mixed. The main function of the reticulum is to ferment food, to assist in the rumination process, to regulate the flow of ingestion to the omasum, to absorb fermented products and to collect foreign bodies.
• Omasum: also called the belly of the books, because the surface resembles a book. Located on the right, elliptical in shape and the inner surface is laminae. The main function of omasum is a place for grinding, filtering, fermentation and absorption.
• Abomasum: also called the true stomach, located in the carry and when the abomasum is on the left side then the abomasum becomes very acidic. The surface of the abomasum is lined by mucosa. The main function of the abomasum is to place it enzymatically and regulate the dihesti flow from the abomasum to the duedenum.

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3. Small Intestine (Small Intestine)

There are three parts in the small intestine, namely Duodenum (intestines of the twelve fingers), jejunum (empty intestine), and ileum (intestines absorption).

• Duedenum: the most important organ and the shortest part of the small intestine, is functionally very important in most of the chemical digestion. The length varies widely ranging from 8-15 cm, located at the anterior end connected to the stomach, while the posterior end touches the jejunum.
• Jejunum: located between the duedenum and ileum, has an average length of 5-8 feet or half a meter. The pH in this intestine varies between neutral and slightly wet.
• Ileum: this intestinal absorption has many villi (folds or indentations), serves for the absorption of the small intestine so that the absorption of nutrients will be more maximal.

The main function of the intestine is to neutralize an acid and alkaline content, the site of enzymatic digestion and absorption and absorption of substances.

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4. Appendicitis (Cecum)

The appendix or cecum is a sac that is connected to the absorptive intestine and the part of the colon that ascends from the large intestine. The main function of the appendix is ​​the absorption of water and salt that remains after the digestive process from the intestine is complete.

5. Large Intestine (Colon / large intestine)

The main functions of the large intestine are absorption of water, absorption of vitamins, reducing acid levels and preventing infection, and can also produce antibodies.

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6. Rectum

The rectum is part of the large intestine. The rectum is useful for storing feces that will be excreted through the anus. Feces released by the rectum contain fluids that come from digestion, contain bacteria and fiber.

Thus Information about the Digestive System of Goats / Sheep and Its Functions.  Hopefully useful and useful. Thank you.