Comparative histological study of rectum in cattle, sheep and goat

The present study was conducted on 18 non-discript breeds of adult cattle, sheep and goat. Histological findings of rectum considering different features were noted. Four types of layers were present in rectum of all three species. Number of goblet cell was highest in the rectum of sheep and lowest in cattle. In rectum ofgoat intestinal gland exhibited secreting activity, bleb like appearance in the lumen and mostly serous secreting glands were located at apical end of tunica mucosa. In rectum of sheep mucus secreting glands were densely packed. Tela submucosa was largest in cattle as compared to sheep and goat. Elastic fiber was most prominant in rectum of cattle and least prominant in the sheep and goat.