Mucous Membrane of the Rumen of Ovines, Fed With Spineless, Forrage Cactus or Palm (Barbary Fig) (Opuntia ficus indica Mil): Hystochemical Study by Means of Light Microscopy

Abstract

The mucosa of the rumen performs the functions of absorption, transportation, metabolism and protection, due to the presence of microorganisms in this compartment of the digestive tract, which are responsible for the digestion of approximately 60% of the organic material apparently digested. The histological structure and the histochemical profile of glicoconjugate of the mucosa of the stomach of sheep that were being fed with forrage cactus or palm (Giant Palm-Opuntia ficus indica Mil)1. Twelve sheep were used, with approximately 14 months old, which were oddly distributed in four diets: D 1-60.0% forrage palm + 40.0% concentrated ration; D 2-47.5% forrage palm + 12.5% elephant, napier grass + 40.0% concentrated ration, and D 3-34,8% forrage palm + 25.2% elephant, napier grass + 40.0% concentrated ration and D 4-60.0% elephant, napier grass + 40.0% concentrated ration. The experience period lasted 90 days, and, at the end, the animals were euthanized and fragments of different compartments of their stomachs were taken right after. The animals having consumed diets D 1 , D 2 e D 3 presented more developed papillas, while the ones of diet D 4 , presented less developed papillas. The stratum corneum of the epithelium of the rumen coating of the animals in diet D 1 presented a slight erosion, when compared to those in diets D 2 , D 3 and D 4 .

Performance and nutrient digestion of lambs fed incremental levels of wild cactus (Opuntia leucotrichia)

“…Some changes at the histological structure of the rumen was reported by Neiva et al (2006), who found more developed papillae in rumen of sheep fed 30Á60% diets compared with no cactus diet. Adjusted fat thickness decreased as O. leucotrichia was included in the diet.…”

Performance, Body Water Balance, Ingestive Behavior and Blood Metabolites in Goats Fed with Cactus Pear (Opuntia ficus-indica L. Miller) Silage Subjected to An Intermittent Water Supply

“…Therefore, a reduction in the time spent eating and ruminating due to an increase in the soluble carbohydrate (NFC) content and a reduction in the fibrous content in the diet can promote a reduction in ruminal pH, which contributes to ruminal acidosis. Neiva et al [48] analyzed the effect of high intake proportions of cactus pear on the histological structure of the ruminal mucosa of sheep and observed that the animals that received diets with more cactus pear showed greater erosion in the stratum horny (keratinized layer) due to the presence of oxalates.…”

Histopathological effects of alternative feedstuffs (sesame hulls and Prosopis juliflora) on ruminal walls in black goat kids in Jordan

“…volatile fatty acids amount and type) and/or amount of dietary fibre (Neiva et al 2006). Although P. juliflora pods contain more neutral and acid detergent fibre (40% and 32%, respectively) than barley (20% and 7%, respectively), their dietary inclusion of up to 20% did not impact ruminal mucosa, probably because it did not drastically affect fermentation products (NRC 1981;Mahgoub et al 2005).…”