Thesis (MScAgric)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Regardless of the extensive game eradication during most of the previous century, the game farming industry in South Africa has shown dynamic growth over the past few decades. Currently the approximately 8 000 game farms have a total income of more than R850 million per annum. Although there are various game species included in these farming enterprises, three of the most important species for commercial farming and meat marketing are springbok iAntidorcas marsupialisï, blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsiï and impala (Aepyceros melampus). Since nutrition is a key factor in the productivity of animals, any information on this subject is essential for the successful management of a game farm. However, apart from the general lack in applied research on game animals (due to the different approaches by biologists and agricultural researchers), there is also only limited information available on the nutritional requirements of game species or any of the aspects affected by nutrition. In order to address the above shortcomings in game animal nutrition, two separate studies were conducted. The purpose of the first study was to determine the physical body component and nitrogen (N) distribution in the springbok, blesbok and impala. The chemical composition of the three-rib cut was also compared with that of the carcass. Amino acid requirements for growth of the three game species were investigated in the second study according to the ideal protein concept. The essential amino acid (EAA) profile of the whole empty body of the three game species was compared with the EAA profile of the duodenal digesta in order to detect any imbalances for optimal growth. The same animals were used in both studies, namely eight of each of the three game species. Characterization of the physical body composition revealed that the dressing percentages (% of body weight; % of empty body weight) for the three game species were: springbok (57.1 ± 2.4 %; 64.0 ± 2.5 %), blesbok (50.2 ± 2.1 %; 62.8 ± 1.4 %) and impala (57.4 ± 2.2 %; 65.6 ± 2.0 %). The proportional distribution ofN between the carcass, external offal and internal offal was also determined. The mean carcass N concentration of the impala was higher (P<0.05) than that of the springbok and blesbok on a dry matter basis. According to the carcass chemical composition, the three game species seem to have a better potential for lean meat production (fat content of carcass 4.7-5.2 %) than domestic sheep (17-25 % fat). Male animals had a lower (P<0.05) fat and higher (P<0.05) moisture percentage in the carcass and threerib cut than the females. The fat correlation between the three-rib cut and the carcass on both an as-is and dry matter basis was significant across species and sexes. The protein content of the same cuts did, however, not yield a significant correlation on an as-is basis, and only the protein content of the springbok three-rib cut related (P<0.05) to that in the carcass on a dry matter basis. The second study concentrated on the nutritional requirements of springbok, blesbok and impala, and more specifically the EAA requirements. Differences (P<0.05) were found between the whole empty body EAA composition of the three game species. These differences were present whether protein quantity was included in the calculations (g AA/100 g crude protein) or not (expressed as % of lysine). The chemical scores indicated that the four most limiting amino acids (three for impala) in the duodenal digesta for whole empty body growth were: arginine, histidine, threonine and methionine (springbok); methionine, arginine, histidine and lysine (blesbok); and methionine, histidine and arginine (impala). Further disproportion of the amino acids in the duodenal digesta was present in excess levels of isoleucine (blesbok) and lysine, valine, leucine, threonine, isoleucine and phenylalanine (impala). The EAA:Lysine ratios of the whole empty body indicated a similar trend for the three game species. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die essensiële aminosuurbenodighede van springbok, blesbok en rooibok vir optimale groei: Ten spyte van die feit dat wild grootskaals uitgedun is gedurende die vorige eeu, het die wildboerdery-bedryf in Suid-Afrika oor die laaste paar dekades dinamiese groei getoon. Die totale inkomste van die ongeveer 8000 wildsplase beloop tans meer as R850 miljoen per jaar. Alhoewel daar verskeie wildspesies is wat by hierdie tipe boerdery ingesluit word, is die springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) en rooibok (Aepyceros melampus) van die belangrikste spesies vir kommersiële boerdery en vleisbemarking. Voeding IS 'n sleutelfaktor in die produktiwitieit van diere en daarom is emge inligting oor hierdie onderwerp noodsaaklik vir die suksesvolle bestuur van 'n wildsplaas. Afgesien van die algemene tekort aan toegepaste navorsing op wilde diere (as gevolg van die verskillende benaderings van bioloë en landboukundige navorsers), is daar ook slegs beperkte inligting beskikbaar oor die voedingsbehoeftes van wilde dierspesies of enige van die faktore wat deur voeding beïnvloed word. In 'n poging om bogenoemde tekortkominge in die voeding van wilde diere aan te spreek, is daar twee aparte studies uitgevoer. Die doel van die eerste studie was om die fisiese liggaamsamestelling en die stikstof (N) verspreiding in die springbok, blesbok en rooibok te bepaal. Die chemiese samestelling van die drie-ribsnit is ook met die van die karkas vergelyk. In die tweede studie is ondersoek ingestel na die aminosuurbehoeftes van die drie wildspesies deur van die ideale proteïen konsep gebruik te maak. Die bepaling van die essensiële aminosuurprofiel van die totale leë liggaam van die onderskeie drie wildspesies is bepaal en met die essensiële aminosuurprofiel van die duodenale-inhoud vergelyk, ten einde enige wanbalans vir optimale groei vas te stel. Dieselfde diere is in beide studies gebruik, naamlik ag springbokke, blesbokke en rooibokke. 'n Beskrywing van die fisiese liggaamsamestelling het aangetoon dat die uitslagpersentasies (% van liggaamsmassa; % van leë liggaamsmassa) van die drie wildspesies as volg was: springbok (57.1 ± 2.4 %; 64.0 ± 2.5 %), blesbok (50.2 ± 2.1 %; 62.8 ± 1.4 %) en rooibok (57.4 ± 2.2 %; 65.6 ± 2.0 %). Die proporsionele verspreiding van N in die karkas, uitwendige afval en inwendige afval is ook bepaal. Die gemiddelde N konsentrasie in die karkas van die rooibok was hoër (P<0.05) as die van die springbok en blesbok op 'n droë materiaal basis. Dit blyk vanaf die chemiese samestelling van die karkas dat die drie wildspesies 'n groter potensiaal het vir die produksie van maer vleis (vet-inhoud van karkas 4.7-5.2 %) as skape (17-25 % vet). Manlike diere het 'n laer (P<0.05) vetpersentasie en 'n hoër (P<0.05) vogpersentasie in beide die karkas en die drie-ribsnit teenoor die vroulike diere gehad. 'n Betekenisvolle korrelasie is tussen die persentasie vet in die drie-ribsnit en die karkas van al drie wildspesies en vir beide geslagte gevind, op beide 'n nat en droë materiaal basis. Die proteïeninhoud van dieselfde snitte was egter nie op 'n nat basis betekenisvol gekorreleerd nie, en slegs die proteïen-inhoud van die springbok se drieribsnit het verband gehou (P<0.05) met die in die karkas op 'n droë materiaal basis. Die klem van die tweede studie was op die voedingsbehoeftes van springbok, blesbok en rooibok, en meer spesifiek die essensiële aminosuurbenodighede. Daar is verskille (P<0.05) tussen die totale leë liggaam essensiële aminosuursamestelling van die drie wildspesies gevind. Hierdie verskille was aanwesig afgesien daarvan of die hoeveelheid proteïen in berekening gebring is (g aminosure /100 g ruproteïen) of nie (uitgedruk as % van lisien). Volgens die chemiese tellings was die vier mees beperkende aminosure (drie vir rooibok) in die duodenale-inhoud vir totale leë liggaamsgroei as volg: arginien, histidien, treonien en metionien (springbok); metionien, arginien, histidien en lisien (blesbok); en metionien, histidien en arginien (rooibok). Verdere wanbalanse in die armnosure van die duodenale-inhoud was aanwesig in die oormaat isoleusien (blesbok) en lisien, valien, leusien, treonien, isoleusien en fenielalanien (rooibok). Die verhouding van die essensiële aminosure tot lisien van die totale leë liggaam het by al drie wildspesies dieselfde tendens getoon.

M.Tech. / South Africa is a water scarce country. The characteristic water pollution problems associated with both developing and developed economies are evident. Indicator organisms have been enumerated from samples collected from the Blesbok Spruit (Gauteng Province) over one year. Standard membrane filtration techniques were used followed by cultivation of E. coli and enterococcus on selective agars. Rainfall data was collected to enable a determination of differences, between “wet” and “dry” sampling runs. Descriptive statistics applied to the data include the calculation of the geometric mean for each sampling run and the geometric mean per sampling site in both wet and dry conditions. The Mann- Whitney Rank Sum Test and Kruskal-Wallis One way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to compare data sets. The capacity of the Blesbok Spruit, containing wetland areas, to assimilate the microbiological load was more effective than that of the Renoster Spruit (Free State Province) which does not contain distinctive wetland areas. The risk of infection has been determined by comparing the levels of E. coli and enterococcus to a set of site-specific guidelines. The water is not suitable for drinking or domestic purposes and full contact recreation will pose a risk of infection to users. The lower Blesbok Spruit has the poorest water quality and this water is unsuitable for livestock watering being only suitable for the irrigation of crops. The effects of diffuse pollution on the health related microbiological water quality need to be considered in the management of this sub-catchment.

M.Sc. / Climate change, loss of habitat and over-exploitation of natural resources as well as the introduction of invasive alien species through human activities are resulting in an ever increasing risk of extinction of many plant and animal species. There are two major approaches to conserving threatened and endangered species. Firstly the large scale preservation of natural habitat and ecological processes, thereby protecting the species inhabiting the habitat. The second approach involves the ex-situ breeding of rare and endangered species. It is estimated that in the next 200 years approximately 800 mammalian species will require the assistance of breeding programs to ensure long term genetic viability. Biological Resource Banks (BRB) can potentially contribute to this challenge by providing a source of genes that can be used to counter the effects of external selection pressures, genetic drift and inbreeding depression in small or fragmented populations. These banks commonly contain biological materials such as cryopreserved sperm, embryos and cell cultures mainly as genetic and research resources. . Biological resource banks can potentially use these cryopreserved gametes together with assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as artificial insemination (AI), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), embryo transfer (ET), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and nuclear transfer (NT) to maintain genetic heterogeneity in ex-situ and wild populations. Ascertaining the appropriate protocols for developing the ARTs necessary for non-domestic species is one of the major challenges faced by reproductive physiologists. Typically, there is very little available information about the processing of semen, the effects of diluents, concentration and type of cryoprotectants and freeze-thaw methods for sperm samples of non-domestic species. Procedures proven to be highly effective in humans and laboratory or domestic species, are frequently adopted and modified for use in related wildlife species. It is thus necessary to gain knowledge of the reproductive physiology of wildlife species in order to define effective protocols for the cryopreservation of biomaterials which assists in the conservation of South Africa‘s diverse wildlife species. Sperm quality assessment is a useful tool for assessing the reproductive health of free-ranging populations as well as for selecting individuals for future assisted reproduction programs.

Thesis (MSc Consumer Science)--Stellenbosch University, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Please see fulltext for abstract / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Sien asb volteks vir opsomming

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of season on the composition and quality of male and female blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) muscles (Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Infraspinatus and Supraspinatus). The latter was quantified on the chemical composition (moisture, protein, fat and ash contents), fatty acid profile, mineral composition and physical attributes (pH, colour, drip and cooking loss, water holding capacity and tenderness) of the selected muscles. All of the blesbok muscles had higher (p<0.01) mean protein contents (20.6 g.100 g-1 to 23.1 g.100 g-1) when the plane of nutrition was believed to be higher (spring of 2009). A strong negative correlation (r = – 0.82; p<0.01) existed between the moisture and protein contents of the blesbok muscles. The Longissimus dorsi muscle had the highest (p<0.01) mean intramuscular fat content (3.4 g.100 g-1) when the plane of nutrition was higher. The chemical composition of the Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus and forequarter muscles (Infraspinatus and Supraspinatus) was affected least by the seasonal differences in the plane of nutrition and activity levels of the blesbok at the study area. However, season had a larger impact on the chemical composition of the Semimembranosus muscle. Season did not have a significant impact on the fatty acid profile of blesbok muscles, but the difference in the fatty acid profiles between male and female muscles was significant. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) bi-plot indicated that female blesbok muscles were associated with a higher saturated fatty acid (SFA) and mono-unsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content. Male blesbok muscles had higher (p<0.01) proportions of total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) (40.15 ± 5.39) and polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratios (P:S) (0.85 ± 0.18), in comparison to female muscles (27.18 ± 8.04 and 0.54 ± 0.20, respectively). Differences in the anatomical locations of the selected blesbok muscles furthermore influenced the fatty acid profiles. The less active Longissimus dorsi muscle had higher (p<0.05) total PUFA (38.34 ± 8.62), total omega-6 (ω6) PUFA (34.46 ± 7.83), total ω3 PUFA (3.44 ± 0.84) and P:S (0.85 ± 0.24) contents, in comparison to the Infraspinatus muscle (28.96 ± 8.65, 26.23 ± 7.86, 2.31 ± 0.70 and 0.56 ± 0.19, respectively) and Supraspinatus muscle (28.85 ± 9.23, 26.05 ± 8.24, 2.28 ± 0.76 and 0.55 ± 0.21, respectively). The hindquarter muscles (Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus and Semitendinosus) had intermediate fatty acid content. Season had an impact on the calcium and zinc contents of blesbok muscles. The calcium content was higher (p<0.05) in the muscles of the animals harvested in spring (6.92 ± 1.94) compared to winter (5.61 ± 1.79). The zinc content was higher (p<0.05) in the muscles of male blesbok harvested in winter (4.04 ± 1.70) compared to spring (3.41 ± 1.67). The mineral composition was furthermore significantly different between the selected blesbok muscles. The Biceps femoris muscle had the highest (p<0.05) potassium (183.25 ± 12.79), phosphorus (180.21 ± 10.36) and magnesium (32.18 ± 1.72) content, while the sodium and calcium content was highest in the forequarter muscles. The Longissimus dorsi muscle had the highest (p<0.05) iron (3.67 ± 0.51), but significantly lower zinc content (1.63 ± 0.28), in comparison to the forequarter muscles. The pH value ≈24 h post mortem was higher (p<0.05) in the Longissimus dorsi muscle of the animals harvested in spring (5.60) compared to winter (5.54). The CIE a* (14.63 ± 0.86) and chroma (17.09 ± 0.63) values were higher (p<0.05) for winter than for male blesbok meat in spring (13.62 ± 1.08 and 16.10 ± 1.03, respectively). The latter values were also higher (p<0.05) for male compared to female (13.49 ± 0.88 and 16.22 ± 0.98) blesbok meat, at the end of the mating season (winter). The forequarter muscles had higher chroma values in comparison with the hindquarter muscles, which had higher (p<0.01) hue-angle values. Season had no influence (p<0.05) on the drip loss percentages and tenderness of blesbok muscles. The drip loss percentages were lowest (p<0.05) in the Biceps femoris and Semimembranosus muscles. The Infraspinatus and Supraspinatus muscles had the lowest (p<0.01) Warner Bratzler shear force values (20.89 ± 3.23 and 24.90 ± 5.35 N, respectively). Seasonal differences in the chemical composition of blesbok muscles were statistically significant. However, these differences were numerically small and it is therefore debatable whether they are of any biological relevance relating to human nutrition. The differences in the fatty acid profile and mineral composition as well as the physical meat quality attributes of blesbok muscles were more attributed to differences in the anatomical locations of the selected muscles, as opposed to the impact of season or gender. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie was om die impak van seisoen op die samestelling en kwaliteit van blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) spiere (Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus, Semitendinosus, Infraspinatus en Supraspinatus) te bepaal. Die seisoenale impak was gekwantifiseer op die chemiese samestelling (vog-, proteïen-, vet- en asinhoud), vetsuurprofiel, mineraal samestelling en fisiese eienskappe (pH, kleur, drup- en kookverlies, water houvermoë en taaiheid) van die geselekteerde spiere. Met ʼn hoër voedingspeil (lente 2009) het elkeen van die spiere gemiddeld ʼn hoër (p<0.01) proteïeninhoud (20.6 g.100 g-1 tot 23.1 g.100 g-1) gehad. ‘n Sterk negatiewe korrelasie (r = – 0.82; p<0.01) het bestaan tussen die vog- en proteïeninhoud van die blesbokspiere. Met ʼn hoër voedingspeil het die Longissimus dorsi spier die hoogste (p<0.01) gemiddelde intramuskulêre vetinhoud (3.4 g.100 g-1) gehad. Seisoenale verskille in die voedingspeil en aktiwiteitsvlakke van dié blesbokke het minimale verskille in die chemiese samestelling van die Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Semitendinosus en voorkwartspiere (Infraspinatus en Supraspinatus) tot gevolg gehad. Daar was wel seisoenale verskille in die chemiese samestelling van die Semimembranosus spier. Seisoen het nie ʼn beduidende invloed op die vetsuurprofiel van die blesbokspiere gehad nie, maar daar was wel beduidende (p<0.05) verskille tussen geslagte. Soos aangedui deur ʼn hoofkomponent-analise (PCA) bi-plot, was die spiere van die vroulike blesbokke meer geassosieer met hoër versadigde en mono-onversadigde vetsuursamestellings. Die spiere van die manlike diere het hoër (p<0.01) proporsies poli-onversadigde vetsure (PUFA) (40.15 ± 5.39) asook hoër poli-onversadigde tot versadigde vetsuur verhoudings (P:S) gehad (0.85 ± 0.18) in vergelyking met die spiere van die vroulike diere (onderskeidelik 27.18 ± 8.04 en 0.54 ± 0.20). Die vetsuurprofiel van blesbokspiere was ook beïnvloed deur die anatomiese ligging van die spiere. Die minder aktiewe Longissimus dorsi spier het ʼn hoër (p<0.05) totale PUFA (38.34 ± 8.62), totale omega-6 (ω6) PUFA (34.46 ± 7.83), totale ω3 PUFA (3.44 ± 0.84) en P:S (0.85 ± 0.24) inhoud gehad in vergelyking met die Infraspinatus spier (onderskeidelik 28.96 ± 8.65, 26.23 ± 7.86, 2.31 ± 0.70 en 0.56 ± 0.19) en Supraspinatus spier (onderskeidelik 28.85 ± 9.23, 26.05 ± 8.24, 2.28 ± 0.76 en 0.55 ± 0.21). Die agterkwartspiere (Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus en Semitendinosus) het intermediêre vetsuursamestellings gehad. Seisoen het ʼn invloed op die kalsium- en sinkinhoud van die blesbokspiere gehad. In die lente het die spiere gemiddeld ʼn hoër (p<0.05) kalsiuminhoud gehad (6.92 ± 1.94), in vergelyking met dié van winter (5.61 ± 1.79). Die manlike spiere van die blesbokke wat in winter geoes is, het weer ʼn hoër (p<0.05) sinkinhoud (4.04 ± 1.70) in vergelyking met dié van die lente (3.41 ± 1.67) gehad. Verder het die mineraalinhoud van die geselekteerde blesbokspiere betekenisvol van mekaar verskil. Die Biceps femoris spier het die hoogste (p<0.05) kalium- (183.25 ± 12.79), fosfor- (180.21 ± 10.36) en magnesiuminhoud (32.18 ± 1.72) gehad. Die natrium- en kalsiuminhoud was hoër in die voorkwartspiere. Die Longissimus dorsi spier het die hoogste (p<0.05) ysterinhoud (3.67 ± 0.51) gehad. Laasgenoemde het ʼn beduidend laer sinkinhoud (1.63 ± 0.28) in vergelyking met die voorkwartspiere gehad. Die Longissimus dorsi spiere van die blesbokke wat in die lente geoes is, het gemiddeld hoër pH-waardes by ≈24 uur post mortem gehad (5.60) in vergelyking met die pH-waardes van dié spiere in winter (5.54). Die CIE a*- (14.63 ± 0.86) en chroma-waardes (17.09 ± 0.63) van die manlike blesbokspiere was hoër (p<0.05) in die winter as in die lente (onderskeidelik 13.62 ± 1.08 en 16.10 ± 1.03). Aan die einde van die paartyd (winter) het die manlike blesbokke se spiere ook hoër (p<0.05) CIE a*- en chroma-waardes as die vroulike blesbokspiere (13.49 ± 0.88 en 16.22 ± 0.98) gehad. Die voorkwartspiere het gemiddeld hoër (p<0.05) chroma-waardes as die agterkwartspiere gehad, maar laasgenoemde het weer hoër (p<0.01) hue-angle waardes as die voorkwartspiere gehad. Seisoen het geen effek (p<0.05) op die drupverlies persentasies en taaiheid van die blesbokspiere gehad nie. Die Biceps femoris en Semimembranosus spiere het wel die laagste (p<0.05) drupverlies persentasies gehad. Die Infraspinatus en Supraspinatus spiere het weer die laagste (p<0.01) taaiheid (onderskeidelik 20.89 ± 3.23 en 24.90 ± 5.35) in vergelyking met die Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Semimembranosus en Semitendinosus spiere gehad (onderskeidelik 30.57 ± 6.69, 27.35 ± 3.42, 28.65 ± 4.48 en 31.51 ± 5.63). Alhoewel daar in die studie statisties beduidende seisoenale verskille in die chemiese samestelling van die blesbokspiere was, is die verskille numeries klein en is dit debatteerbaar of dié verskille enigsins biologies van toepassing is op menslike voeding. Verder het die anatomiese ligging van die geselekteerde blesbokspiere in die studie ʼn groter invloed op die verskille in die vetsuurprofiel, mineraal samestelling asook die fisiese eienskappe van die spiere gehad, in vergelyking met die impak van die oes-seisoen en die effek van geslag.

Thesis (Msc (Animal Sciences))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / This research had a dual purpose, firstly to study five muscles (M. biceps femoris, M. longissimus et lumborum, M. rectus femoris, M. semitendinosus and M. supraspinatus) of the blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas phillipsi) and springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis) in terms of the physical and chemical meat quality characteristics, and secondly, to investigate the effects of inorganic salt enhancement on the physical, chemical and sensory meat quality characteristics. The muscles differed significantly for the investigated characteristics, with the exception of a* value, chroma, and ash percentage, which did not differ in either blesbok or springbok. Furthermore, no muscle differences were found in fat percentage in blesbok or protein percentage in springbok meat. Muscle differences were found in the stearic acid (C18:0) composition, the percentage saturated fatty acids (SF) and the polyunsaturated: saturated fatty acid ratio (P:S) of the blesbok. Only linoleic acid (C18:2) as a percentage of the total fatty acids differed significantly amongst the springbok muscles. The shear force values were found to be significantly lower in the enhanced samples (blesbok: 25.16 vs. 43.75 N/1.27cm; and springbok: 23.96 vs. 34.89 N/1.27cm), which means that the enhanced muscles were more tender. The enhanced muscles of both species were found to have lower values for all investigated colour characteristics. Moisture values were found to be higher in all the enhanced muscles (blesbok: 76.53% vs. 74.38%; and springbok: 75.34% vs. 73.37%). The lower fat and protein contents of the enhanced muscles can possibly be ascribed to a diluent effect caused by the water added as part of the inorganic salt injection (blesbok: fat, 1.86% vs. 2.22%, protein, 19.61% vs. 21.67%; and springbok: fat, 1.84% vs. 2.14%, protein, 21.23% vs. 23.26%). Major changes in the mineral contents were expected between the two treatments and in both species the enhanced muscles had higher phosphorus, potassium, sodium and copper values, but lower magnesium, iron and zinc levels than the untreated muscles. Analytical sensory analyses were performed on the M. biceps femoris and M. longissimus et lumborum samples of both species. Tenderness and juiciness were significantly higher in the enhanced muscles. Although salty taste was significantly higher in the enhanced muscles due to the addition of the inorganic salt solution, it remained acceptable. Analytical and consumer sensory analyses were performed on blesbok and springbok M. longissimus et lumborum samples prepared in a stock mixture. The outcome of the analytical sensory analysis was similar to the analytical results reported above. The consumer sensory analysis showed that consumers preferred the enhanced blesbok and springbok muscles, with a significant improvement in consumers’ likeness of enhanced vs. untreated meat. This study provides important insights into the muscle differences of two of the most common game species currently utilised in South African meat production. It confirms that both species can be marketed as a low fat organic red meat source well capable of filling the modern consumer’s nutritional and health needs. It also shows that enhancing game meat with an inorganic salt solution might be a very useful processing tool to use to further game meat acceptability in terms of tenderness and juiciness as game meat is often experienced as being dry and less tender because of its lower fat content and the use of incorrect preparation techniques.

Ph.D. (Zoology) / This project involves a detailed study of three South African antelope species, springbok, impala and blesbok. The study investigates the origins of sperm in terms of testicular histology and subsequently the major storage organ, the cauda epididymis. Sperm of these species were characterized in terms of their quality (morphology, motility, vitality characteristics among others and their physiology: when exposed to different media and cryopreservation protocols. Finally sperm fertilization biology of the three species and evaluation of fertilization and developmental success when using homologous and heterologous oocytes (relative comparison) were assessed. Cauda epididymal spermatozoa was recovered post-mortem from the testes of culled springbok (n =38); impala (n =26) and blesbok (n =42) during winter months in South Africa and cryopreserved in a Tris-fructose-citric acid extender (Biladyl) supplemented with 20% egg yolk and 7% glycerol under field conditions. Longevity of sperm was assessed in Tris and Citrate extenders and modified Tyrode lactate in vitro fertilization (IVF) media. Oocytes were collected from the ovaries of domestic cows (n =165), springbok (n = 72) and blesbok (n = 42) and matured in domestic cattle M199 maturation media supplemented with 10% FCS, 10IJg/mi LH, 10IJg/mi FSH and antibiotics. Heterologous (zona intact and zona free) and homologous fertilization was carried using a domestic cattle IVF protocol. Results were analysed using SPSS version 18.0 (Statcon, South Africa). Interspecies comparisons were made using parametric tests: paired t-test for the freezing effect, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Mixed between-within subjects ANOVA for longevity, Non Parametric test for motility characteristics and least squares ANOVA for...