Role of Exocrine Pancreas in Ruminant Digestion

Pancreas is a tubuloalveolar gland with exocrine and endocrine function. The pancreas of the ruminants consists of a distinguishable short body with left and right lobes. The exocrine part of the pancreas secretes the pancreatic juice which consists of the bicarbonates and enzymes essential for the digestion. The release of the pancreatic juice is triggered by the hormone cholecystokinin, which is produced when the food reaches small intestine. The alkaline secretion of the pancreas contains digestive enzymes and the enzyme precursors (proenzymes) that can digest protein, carbohydrates and lipids.