Scanning electron microscopic study of caprine intestine with special reference to gut-associated lymphoid tissues

The intestine of adult indigenous goat of Assam (Capra hircus) was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for elucidating the morphology of intestinal mucosa as well as the morphology of gutassociated lymphoid tissue including Peyer’s patches (PP) and solitary lymphoid nodule. SEM of intestines revealed the presence of villi in the small intestinal mucosa. Goblet cells were noticed as white pinheads on the villus surface between the enterocytes. The large intestinal mucosa of adult Assam local goat was devoid of villi. SEM of small intestinal mucosa revealed leaf or finger-like absorptive villi covering PP. Even the dome villi were completely covered by absorptive villi and were shorter than the absorptive villi. The absorptive villi in all segments of the small intestine had numerous microvilli. The interfollicular region had high endothelial venules. Propria nodules were lymphoid nodules predominantly in lamina propria and covered by distinct follicle-associated epithelium which lacked goblet cells and openings to deep invaginations into the mucosa.