Distribution of ki-67, alpha smooth muscle actin and vimentin in the reticulum and omasum of Baladi goat

Seven Baladi goats of both sexes (9 to 24 months old) were used to describe the distribution pattern of ki-67, alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA) and vimentin (VIM) in the reticulum and omasum. This study was carried out using the avidin-biotin immunoperoxidase method. Ki-67 immunostaining was restricted to the basal cells layer in the epithelia of both the reticulum and omasum, suggesting the importance of ki-67 in epithelial cells proliferation and keratin biosynthesis. Immunostaining for αSMA was detected in smooth muscle cells in reticular folds, omasal lamiae and muscularis in both the reticulum and omasum, indicating the critical role of αSMA in muscular motility. The widespread distribution of VIM immunostainings in epithelia, fibroblasts in lamina propria and submucosa, and endothelia of blood vessels supports the importance of VIM as an intermediate filament protein. Detection of VIM in glial cells of enteric plexuses indicates its supportive role in the nervous control of both reticulum and omasum. Overall, this immunohistochemical study revealed non-significant differences in the expression of ki-67, αSMA, and VIM between the reticulum and omasum. This study thus verifies the important roles of ki-67, αSMA and VIM in the structure and function of the reticulum and omasum of Baladi goats.