Abstract Seventeen Boer goat does were used in this study to compare the effect of an intramuscular or subcutaneous route of administrating a superovulation treatment during the natural breeding season (autumn). The oestrous cycles of all does were synchronised for 17 days using CIDR dispensers and superovulated with pFSH administered in 7 dosages, at 12 h intervals—initiated 48 h prior to CIDR removal. Does were teased to test for the onset of oestrus at 8 h intervals, starting at CIDR removal. All does were cervically inseminated with fresh undiluted Boer goat semen at a fixed time (36 h and 48 h), following CIDR withdrawal. Embryos were surgically flushed on day 6 following the second AI, evaluated and classified according to their morphological appearance. The route of gonadotrophin (pFSH) administration had no effect on the response to oestrous synchronisation. The number of ovulations, structures and embryos recovered and fertilisation rate were also similar via both routes of gonadotrophin administration. The number of unfertilised ova per donor on the other hand, was significantly higher in does administered pFSH using the intramuscular (3.3±4.8), rather than the subcutaneous route (0.3±0.8). However, the number of degenerated embryos was higher when pFSH was administered subcutaneously (5.9±4.5), compared to intramuscularly (2.6±2.3). The overall number of transferable embryos was not affected by the route of gonadotrophin administration. The subcutaneous route of gonadotrophin administration led to a lower number of unfertilised ova, this beneficial effect was negated by an increase in the number of degenerate embryos—resulting in both routes of administration leading to a similar number of transferable embryos. Although no significant differences were found between subcutaneous and intramuscular routes of gonadotrophin administration regarding the number of transferable embryos, the subcutaneous route resulted in lower variances which may indicate a more predictable response.

Abstract This study evaluated the effect of repeated superovulation and embryo recovery in 15 Boer goat does. Does were synchronised for oestrus using CIDR’s for 17 days and superovulated with pFSH during the natural breeding season (autumn). Cervical inseminations with fresh undiluted semen were performed 36 h and 48 h following CIDR removal and the embryos surgically flushed six days after the second AI. Does superovulated for the first time recorded a shorter mean (± s.e.) induced duration of oestrus (20.8 ± 1.0 h), when compared to those repeatedly superovulated (30.4 ± 6.7 h). The mean (±s.e.) number of structures and embryos recovered were significantly lower in does treated repeatedly (6.0 ± 1.7 and 3.8 ± 1.7) than does superovulated for the first time (12.9 ± 0.5 and 11.7 ± 0.5), respectively. The mean (±s.e.) number of unfertilised ova per donor was significantly higher in repeatedly superovulated does (5.5 ± 1.6), compared to does superovulated for the first time (0.1 ± 0.1). The fertilisation rate and the number of transferable embryos were significantly lower in does treated repeatedly, compared to does superovulated for the first time. These results indicate that the number of times that a Boer goat doe can be utilised as the embryo donor may be limited to three times.

The physiological effects of etorphine, and etorphine combined with xylazine and etorphine combined with azaperone on respiratory and cardiovascular function were determined in. Boer goats. The goats were habituated to the experimental procedures allowing the determination of respiratory and cardiovascular function while the animals stood quietly at rest. This resulted in the physiological changes induced by the three immobilizing drugs being measured and compared with those obtained prior to the administration of the immobilizing drugs. The: effectiveness of diprenorphine and atipamezole in antagonising the physiological changes induced by the immobilizing drug treatments was also determined. All three immobilizing drug treatments depressed respiratory function resulting in a decrease in PaO2and an increase in PaCO2. Etorphine caused limited changes to these blood gases as a result of decreases in respiratory minute volume and alveolar minute ventilation caused by a fall in respiratory rate. The administration of etorphine / azaperone did not decrease the efficiency of respiration more significantly than when etorphine was administered on its own. Etorphine injected in combination with xylazine resulted in a severe decrease in respiratory function. The decrease in PaO2 and the increase in PaCO2 were much greater than the changes to these two blood gases following the administration of either etorphine or etorphine in combination with azaperone. Compared to etorphine administered on its own, etorphine combined with xylazine caused more significant decreases in tidal volume and alveolar minute ventilation, and more significant elevations in both physiological shunt fraction and percentage dead space ventilation. The administration of etorphine, etorphine / xylazine and etorphine / azaperone caused three different sets of changes to cardiovascular function. The injection of etorphine resulted in significant increases in both total peripheral resistance and systemic mean arterial blood pressure, and a significant decease in cardiac output. The administration of etorphine / xylazine resulted in a rapid and significant decrease in the systemic mean arterial blood pressure, followed by a decrease in cardiac output. The peripheral resistance remained unchanged. Etorphine / azaperone caused a progressive decline in the total peripheral resistance. As the cardiac output did not change significantly, the systemic mean arterial blood pressure fell progressively. The administration of etorphine resulted in a gradual and limited decrease in the oxygen consumption index. Following the injection of etorphine / xylazine a rapid and significant decrease in the oxygen consumption index resulted, which was significantly lower, when compared to the goats immobilized with etorphine, at 5 and 35 minutes PDA. The injection of etorphine / azaperone resulted in a gradual decrease in the oxygen consumption index which reached a minimum value at 35 minutes PDA. At this time, the oxygen consumption index due to etorphine / xylazine was not significantly different from the value due to etorphine / azaperone. Diprenorphine effectively reversed the respiratory and cardiovascular effects due to etorphine. The physiological changes induced by the administration of etorphine / xylazine were partially and temporarily antagonised by the administration of diprenorphine, it was only following the injection of atipamezole that they return to the values measured in the goats prior to immobilization. Diprenorphine effectively reversed the respiratory depression induced by etorphine / azaperone, however a mild acidosis persisted until the end of the trial period. The cardiac output and systemic mean blood pressure improved dramatically following the injection of diprenorphine but there was no immediate change in total peripheral resistance. / Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Animal and Wildlife Sciences / unrestricted

The first experiment of this study was aimed at investigating the factors affecting the feeding behaviour and plant species selection of 3 free ranging Tswana (mean weight ± 37 kg) and 3 Boer (mean weight ± 36 kg) goat does in the False Thornveld of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The feeding behaviour and plant species selection was observed and recorded during winter (cold-dry season) and summer (hot-wet season). Observations included the following categories: browsing, grazing and non-feeding activities. Non-feeding activities (NFA) include separate recordings of walking, standing, lying and drinking. Results showed goats spent 21.9 %, 44.65 % and 33.3 % of their day on browsing, grazing and non-feeding activities. Grass was clearly the preferred feed for goats both in the cold-dry season (54 %) and the hot-wet season (76 %) while browse consumption was higher in the cold-dry season (46 %) and lower in the hot-wet season (24 %). Goats spent more time on NFA in the cold-dry season (68.8 %) than the hot-wet season (31.9 %). Though diurnal variations were observed for both breeds and seasons in terms of browsing and non-feeding activities, no diurnal variations were found between the breeds. Goats selected a wide spectrum of woody-plant species. A total of thirteen woody plant species were encountered and selected by goats in the range. Scutia myrtina was the most frequently consumed (29.9 %) woody plant species in the range followed by Rhus refracta (16.3 %), Grewia occidentalis (14.0 %), Olea africana (10.8 %). These four woody-plant species accounted for 71 % of the woody plant selection by goats. Significant differences (P<0.001) were found in percentage time spent selecting the different woody-plant species by goats. The frequency of woody-plant species selection was higher in the cold-dry season than the hot-wet season. Woodyplant selection was higher in the morning followed by the afternoon and lower during midday. Percentage time spent by goats selecting woody plant species decreased with advancing period of occupation of a grazing/browsing camp. Browse was the preferred feed when feed availability was high, but when feed availability declined, the goats decreased their frequency of woody-plant selection and more grass was eaten. The second experiment was aimed at determining and comparing the nutritive value of forages selected by the same free ranging goats. Three (3) Tswana and 3 Boer goats equipped with remote controlled fistula valves were studied. Fistula valve samples were collected for 15 minutes during the day at 6 different times. All extrusa samples were kept on ice in the field and then stored in a deep freeze prior to drying and milling. Each sample was freeze-dried and hand separated into bush (woody species) and grass components (including forbs). These samples were analysed for nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). The diets selected by the goats differed in CP (cold-dry season: 5.39 % ± 0.15 and hot-wet season 9.48 % ± 0.15; P=0.001), NDF (cold-dry season 48.09 % ± 1.02 and hot-wet season 53.76 % ± 1.02; P=0.001) and ADF (cold-dry season 34.32 % ± 0.72 and hot-wet season 37.50 % ± 0.72) between the seasons, but the ADF content showed no change (cold-dry season 18.01 % ± 0.52 and hot-wet season 19.49 % ± 0.52 P>0.05). Goats selected diets higher in CP, NDF and ADF during hot-wet season compared to cold-dry season. Generally, there were diurnal variations in the NDF (P=0.04), ADF (P=0.02) and ADL (P=0.01) contents of forages selected by goats. Nutrient content of selected diets decreased in quality with advancing period of occupation of a camp. Knowledge of the nutritive value of the diet as selected by these animals is of primary importance in estimating the productivity of any rangeland. The third experiment was aimed at determining in sacco dry matter (DM) and crude protein degradation of woody plant species incubated in the rumen of Tswana and Boer goats. The ruminal degradability of the three most selected woody plant species by goats during the cold-dry season (G. occodentalis, O. africana and S. myrtina) and the hot-wet season (A. karroo, R. refracta and S. myrtina), were measured in situ, using in sacco digestion techniques. The nylon bag incubation revealed large differences in the rumen degradability of DM of the three woody plant species during both cold-dry season and hot-wet season. Ruminal degradation constants (a, b and a+b and c) varied significantly (P<0.001) between breeds and between goats within a breed. Thus, no breed difference in in sacco degradation of DM and CP was found between Tswana and Boer goats. There was a strong positive correlation between DMD, CPD and time of incubation in the rumen. The crude protein content of the woody plant species positively influenced the rumen digestion of dry matter because when CP increased DMD also increased. Both species preference and degradability of plant species are needed to estimate range suitability for browsing animals. Results from this study will help to develop strategies to optimise range resources for sustainable animal production. In order to improve production, the constraints limiting success should be identified. Tswana goats might be a more favoured breed in semi-arid savannah because of their smaller body size, absolute nutrient requirement and better reproductive performance when compared to Boer goats. However, when forage availability is not a limiting factor, Boer goats might yield better returns for the investment since they are superior in meat production. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Anatomy and Physiology / Unrestricted

Ehrlichia ruminantium, the causative organism of heartwater infections, places severe economic constraint on the livestock industry wherever Amblyomma tick vectors are present. Angora goats are particularly susceptible to this disease and the current live blood vaccine cannot safely be used to protect these animals. An attenuated E. ruminantium (Welgevonden) experimental vaccine has previously shown promising results in Merino sheep and Boer goats. The vaccine was administered by intravenous route (i/v). The general objective of this study was to test the efficacy and safety of the attenuated heartwater vaccine E. ruminantium (Welgevonden) in Angora goats. The specific objectives were, firstly to assess the intra-muscular route of administration of the attenuated vaccine as compared to the standard i/v route and, secondly, to study the haematological changes in Angora goats before, during and after vaccination under controlled conditions at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute tick-free stables. A total of 55 Angora goats were used in this trial. They were purchased from an area in South Africa which is known to be Amblyomma-free and heartwater-free. Furthermore, on arrival, the goats were screened for E. ruminantium infection by the immunofluorescent antibody (IFA) test to confirm their disease-free status. The Angora goats were divided into 3 groups: In Group 1, ten were vaccinated by the standard i/v route, in Group 2, 31 received the vaccine by i/m route and 10 served as untreated controls for Group 3. Five of the 10 i/v vaccinated group, 20/31 of the i/m vaccinated and 5 controls were challenged by feeding of known infected adult A hebreaum. The other remaining animals within the three groups were challenged using a known infected blood stabilate administered by the standard i/v route (dose 5xLD50). All animals were challenged 42 days after vaccination. The vaccine did not produce any inflammatory reactions at the site of injection. However, 3/31 (9.7%) of i/m and 7/10 (70%) of i/v vaccinated goats developed febrile reactions starting on Day 11 post-immunisation and were treated. All vaccinated goats were fully protected against either needle i/v or tick challenge, while the control non-vaccinated goats reacted severely to the challenge materials and required oxytetracycline treatment. Despite treatment, two of the unvaccinated goats died from the challenge material. 9 Haematological values (packed cell volume, differential blood cells count) were obtained on blood samples taken from the treatment and control groups at different times during the course of the trial. Wide within group variations as shown by the high standard deviation values were found. As no significant changes were found between vaccinated and control animals, it is likely that the attenuated vaccine does not cause significant clinical haematological changes. This study has demonstrated that the attenuated E. ruminantium (Welgevonden) vaccine is safe in 90.3% and efficacious (100% efficacy) for intramuscular administration in Angora goats. However, further laboratory and on-farms studies are needed in order to establish the lowest effective and safety dose, duration of immunity, and the vaccine’s safety in young and pregnant animals. / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Veterinary Tropical Diseases / unrestricted

M.Tech. / Capra hircus (boer goats) are well known for their hardy adaptability to arid regions and their ability to survive and thrive in areas where grazing is low in nutrition. They are an irreplaceable source of protein for the lower income groups of arid regions in South Africa. Boer goats are prone to helminthiasis (infestation of intestinal parasitic worms), which can result in poor health (Kumba, 2002). This can have a significant effect on the long term productivity of the animal (Alexandre and Mandonnet, 2005), resulting in economic and nutritional strain in poor farming communities who depend on goats as a primary source of protein and income (Kumba, 2002). Conventional treatments worldwide show a trend of resistance of helminths to treatment and carry the risk of inducing side effects when administered (Kumba, 2002; Scarfe, 2004; Schnyder et al., 2005). Homoeopathic research has shown promising results in the treatment of helminthiasis in animals (Zacherias et al., 2008; Jeannes et al, 2001), but no research currently exists of homoeopathy on helminthiasis in Boer goats.

Thesis (MScAgric (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to evaluate Dohne Merino sheep and Boer goats in terms of the degradable parameters of a high-fibre diet, a low-fibre diet and two vegetable protein sources commonly used in South Africa. Differences between species were evaluated following the potential differences within species. The feedstuffs used were those for the following diets: low-fibre diet (LF); high-fibre diet (HF); sunflower meal (SFM) oilcake; and soybean meal (SBM) oilcake. In the first trial, the digestible characteristics of the HF and LF diets were determined by means of a digestibility study. A 6 × 6 Latin square design was used to determine whether Dohne Merino sheep or Boer goat wethers differ regarding the digestibility characteristics of low- and high-fibre diets. The diets were fed once daily at 1.24 kg to all the wethers, which had ad libitum access to fresh water. Each period consisted of 10 days of adaptation and seven days of faecal and urinary sampling. The results indicated that the intake and digestibility characteristics of nutrients did not differ between sheep and goats. However, the different diets differed in terms of the nutrient intake and digestibility range of sheep and goats. The second trial was an in sacco degradability trial to determine the dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) degradability of the LF, HF, SBM and SFM diets. Six Dohne Merino and six Boer goat wethers were fitted with rumen cannulae so that they could be used in the trial. All wethers received the same basal diet. The samples were incubated in the rumen in polyester Dacron bags, with the bags being removed at intervals of 0h, 3h, 9h, 12h, 24h, 48h, 72h, and 96h for the LF and HF diets. All the oilcake was removed at intervals of 0h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 12h, 16h, 24h, 36h and 48h. The sheep and goats were found not to differ from one another in terms of effective degradability of any of the feedstuffs concerned. However, within species differences were observed. To establish a fully integrated outcome of degradability, the study described in the current thesis was structured in such a way that the in vitro trial ran parallel with the in sacco trial, being performed with the aid of a Daisy Incubator (ANKOM Technology Corp., Fairport, NY). Such a procedure was only adopted in relation to the SFM and SBM diets in order to evaluate their in vitro data in relation to the in sacco data. The same oilcake was tested in the case of both trials, with the composite sample of rumen liquid of four sheep or goats, which was used in the in sacco trial, also being used in the in vitro study. In the study, DM disappearance values were determined and fitted to a single-compartment model by means of an iterative least-square procedure in order to determine the DM and CP degradability parameters. The DM used in vitro or in sacco was compared, using the actual values obtained after 8h incubation, due to only a limited amount of residue being left after incubation. In the study, the in vitro method overestimated the digestibility of SBM by 37% to 39% and the digestibility of SFM by 17% to 20% compared with that found to occur in the in sacco method. In vitro DM disappearance values for all SBM samples were found to be higher than those that were detected in the SFM samples. The percentage of in vitro true digestibility parameters was also calculated. No significant differences were found between species for effective degradability, though differences were observed within species between the two substrates concerned. In conclusion, the sheep and goats used in the study were not found to differ in terms of digestion parameters when they were compared on different types of roughage or protein sources. However, within species differences were, indeed, found to occur. Sheep and goats digested the SBM better than they did the SFM. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of Dohne Merino skape verskil van Boerbokke in terme van degradeerbaarheidsparameters van ‘n hoë vesel-, ‘n lae veseldieët en twee plantaardige proteïenbronne wat algemeen in Suid-Afrika gebruik word. Die verskille tussen spesies is ge-evalueer en daarna die potensiële verskille binne spesies. Die volgende grondstowwe is geëvalueer: ‘n laevesel-dieët (LF), ‘n hoëvesel-dieët (HF), sonneblom-oliekoekmeel (SFM) en sojaboon-oliekoekmeel (SBM). In die eerste proef is die degradeerbaarheidsparameters van die HF dieët en die LF dieët met behulp van ‘n verteerbaarheidstudie bepaal. Dohne Merino hamels of Boerbok kapaters was gebruik om te bepaal of skape en bokke verskil in terme van inname en degradeerbaarheid van voedingstowwe wanneer hul hoë- en lae vesel voere gevoer word. Al die hamels en kapaters het ad libitum toegang tot vars water gehad en hul was een keer per dag (1.24 kg) gevoer. Elke periode het bestaan uit ‘n 10 dag aanpassingsperiode en ‘n toegelate 7 dae vir mis- en urienmonster versameling. Die resultate het aangedui dat die inname- en degradeerbaarheidsparameters van nutriënte beinvloed word deur verskillende diëte binne spesies. Geen verskille is gevind tussen spesies wanneer daar hoë- en lae kwaliteit voere gevoer is nie. Die tweede proef was ‘n in sacco-degradeerbaarheidsstudie om te bepaal wat die droë materiaal (DM) en ruproteïen (RP) verteerbaarheidsparameters van die HF dieët, die LF dieët, die SBM en die SFM is. Ses Dohne Merino’s en ses Boer bokke met rumen kanullas is in die studie gebruik en al die diere het dieselfde basale dieët ontvang. Die monsters is in die rumen geïnkubeer in poliester dakronsakkies en die sakkies is verwyder na onderskeidelik 0 uur, 3 uur, 9 uur, 12 uur, 24 uur, 48 uur, 72 uur en 96 uur intervalle. Laasgenoemde intervalle was geldig vir die lae vesel- en hoëveseldieët. Die oliekoeke se intervalle het verskil en is verwyder na 0 uur, 2 uur, 4 uur, 8 uur, 12 uur, 16 uur, 24 uur, 36 uur en 48 uur. Daar was geen verskille tussen spesies in effektiewe degradeerbaarheid nie, alhoewel verskille voorgekom het binne spesies. Skape verteer veselagtige grondstowwe meer effektief terwyl bokke weer hoë proteïn bevattende grondstowwe beter verteer. Om ‘n volkome geïntegreede uitkoms van degradeerbaarheid te bewerkstellig is die in vitro proef en die in sacco proef gelyktydig gedoen. Die in vitro-degradeerbareheidstudie is met behulp van ‘n ANKOM Daisy Inkubeerder uitgevoer (ANKOM Tegnologie Korp., Fairport, NY) vir net die oliekoek behandelings. Gedurende die studie is dieselfde oliekoeke gebruik. ‘n Saamgestelde monster van die rumenvloeistof van vier van die skape of bokke wat vir die in sacco-studie gebruik was, is gebruik vir die in vitro-inkubasie van die monsters. DM verdwyningparameters is bereken en dan met ‘n interaktiewe kleinste kwadraat prosedure op ‘n een-kompartement model gepas om die in sacco DMdegradeerbaarheidsparameters te bepaal. Die DM verdwyning, na 8h inkubasie, was gebruik om die in vitro en die in sacco metodes met mekaar te vergelyk, weens ‘n beperkte residu na die afloop van die elke inkubasiestudie. Tydens die studie het die in vitro metode degradering oorskat in vergelyking met die in sacco metode. DM verdwyningswaardes vir al die SBM monsters was hoër in vitro as die SFM monsters. In die studie is die persentasie in vitro ware degradeerbaarheidswaardes bereken. Geen verskille is opgemerk tussen spesies vir effektiewe degradeerbaarheid nie. Daar was wel verskille binne spesies. Om af te sluit het dit voorgekom dat skape en bokke nie verskil aan degradeerbaarheidswaardes wanneer daar ‘n vergelyking was tussen verskillende vesels- en proteϊenbronne nie, alhoewel verskille voorgekom het binne spesies. Skape en bokke het SBM effektief beter verteer as SFM.

Thesis (MSc. (Animal Production)) -- University of Limpopo, 2018 / A study was done to determine the effect of Acacia (A.) karroo, A. tortilis or A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion in a diet on methane emission and productivity of yearling male Boer goats fed a basal diet of Avena sativa hay. The first part of the study was conducted to determine and compare nutrient contents and tannin levels of A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meals and Avena sativa hay in a completely randomised design. The diets means were compared using Fisher’s least significant difference at the 5 % level of probability. The three Acacia species had higher (P<0.05) crude protein contents compared to Avena sativa hay, ranging from 12.42 to 14.49 %. No tannins were detected in Avena sativa hay. Among Acacia species, A. nilotica leaves had higher (P<0.05) total phenolic and total tannin contents than A. karroo and A. tortilis leaves, the latter being similar (P>0.05). All three Acacia species had similar (P>0.05) contents of condensed tannins, ranging from 1.49 to 1.76 %. However, only A. nilotica leaves had hydrolysable tannins of 128 mg/g. The second part of the study was conducted to determine the effect of A. karroo, A. tortilis or A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion level on diet intake and digestibility, methane emission, productivity and blood profiles of yearling male Boer goats. A total of three experiments were conducted and different goats were used in each experiment. A grand total of thirty six (twelve per experiment) yearling male Boer goats with initial mean live weights of 23 ± 2 kg (experiment 1), 23 ± 2 kg (experiment 2) and 23 ± 2 kg (experiment 3) were used in 21-day experiments. The goats were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, each containing A. karroo, A. tortilis or A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion levels at 10, 15, 20 and 30 % with Avena sativa hay as a basal diet. Each goat was housed in well-ventilated individual metabolic pen. The diets were replicated three times. The data collected were subjected to analysis of covariance and analysis of variance in a completely randomized design using SAS. Differences were separated at 5 % level of probability. Additionally, regression equations were used to determine the relationships and responses in optimal diet intake and digestibility, methane emission, productivity and blood profiles of yearling male Boer goats to differing inclusion levels of A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meal. v Experiment 1 involved feeding different levels of A. karroo leaf meal inclusion to yearling male Boer goats fed Avena sativa hay as a basal diet. Results of methane emission before and during the experiment indicated that inclusion of A. karroo leaf meal in the diets of goats reduced (P<0.05) methane emission. Similarly, some of the blood parameters before and after experiment were affected (P<0.05) by inclusion of A. karroo leaf meal. However, A. karroo leaf meal inclusion level had no effect (P>0.05) on diet intake, methane emission, live weight changes and digestibility, except (P<0.05) for digestibility of crude fibre. Feed conversion ratio improved linearly with increased A. karroo leaf meal inclusion level. In the case of experiment 2, results of methane emission before and during the experiment indicated that inclusion of A. tortilis leaf meal in the diets of goats reduced (P<0.05) methane emission. Similarly, some of the blood parameters before and after the experiment were affected (P<0.05) by inclusion of A. tortilis leaf meal. However, variation in A. tortilis leaf meal inclusion level had comparable effect (P>0.05) on methane emission, live weight changes and digestibility, except (P<0.05) for digestibility of crude protein and acid detergent fibre. Diet intake and feed conversion ratio were affected (P<0.05) by A. tortilis leaf meal inclusion level. A positive relationship was observed between A. tortilis leaf meal inclusion level and diet intake. In experiment 3, results of methane emission before and during the experiment indicated that inclusion of A. nilotica leaf meal in the diets of goats reduced (P<0.05) methane emission. Similarly, some of the blood parameters before and the after experiment were affected (P<0.05) by inclusion of A. nilotica leaf meal. Apart from diet fat digestibility and feed conversion ratio, no statistical differences (P>0.05) were observed on diet intake, digestibility and live weight changes of goats fed A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion level. Positive relationships were observed between A. nilotica leaf meal inclusion level, diet fat digestibility and feed conversion ratio in male Boer goats. The high crude protein and low tannin contents in A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaves indicate that these Acacia species can be safe to use as a source of protein in animal nutrition if used sparingly. It was noted that nutrient intake, digestibility, vi feed conversion ratio and blood profiles of Boer goats in the present study were optimised at different inclusion levels for all the three Acacia species. This may imply that inclusion levels of A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meals for optimal productivity will depend on the Acacia species used and, also, on particular productivity parameters in question. Although, A. karroo, A. tortilis and A. nilotica leaf meal reduced methane emission, optimal reduction in methane emission was not determined. Further validation is required to determine Acacia inclusion levels for optimal methane production and emission by goats. / NRF (National Research Foundation), AGRISETA (Agricultural Sector and Education Training Authority) and NSFAS (National Students Financial Aid Scheme)