Adaptation to tropical climate and research strategies to alleviate heat stress in livestock production

in tannins and gaining optimal adjustment to tannin-rich diet requires time; thus, skilfully, goats prefer to safeguard their advantage in utilizing food that is available to them at all seasons. There is a positive interaction between the enhanced recycling rate of urea and a superior digestion of such food in goats adapted to harsh environment. The rumen plays an important role in the developed adaptations by its use as a huge fermentation container and water tank. The water stored in the rumen is utilized during dehydration, and the rumen serves as a container, which accommodates the ingested water upon rehydration. The rumen, the salivary glands and the kidney coordinately take action in the regulation of water intake and water distribution following acute dehydration and rapid rehydration. Some of the physiological features of ruminants defined as intermediate feeders such as a big salivary gland, the large absorptive area of their rumen epithelium, and the capacity to rapidly change the volume of the foregut in response to environmental changes are most likely responsible for the goat’s superior digestion.