Alimentary System of Native Goat Breeds of Pakistan

Abstract

Goat in Pakistan has been raised both for getting meat and milk with a total production of 748 tons of mutton and 965 tons of milk. In Pakistan, goat meat is the most preferred protein source among muttons. Goats possess a healthy alimentary canal and are mostly offered low-cost grazing land-grown roughage. A chain of tubular organs/tissues and allied glands are observed in the goat alimentary system. A healthy digestive system transforms the available nutrients after digestion and absorption into better growth performance. Only few reports available in literature focusing different local raising goat breeds, its feeding behavior, and the morphological structures of their guts. In this chapter, we tried to draw attention to the embryological development of the goat, the nutrition, and the gross/microscopic anatomy and physiology of gut, which is comprised of oral cavity, pharynx, esophagus, stomach, intestines, liver, and pancreas. The histology of the mucosal structures is focused for better understanding because this tunic is in contact with the ingested food particles and is playing a key role in the process of digestion and absorption. Furthermore, health and clinical issues that can occur with goat alimentary systems are also highlighted in this chapter.