Consumer acceptance and quality of game meat "droëwors" sausages with different levels of added fat

Droëwors (dried sausage) is a unique dried meat product from South Africa, which is not smoked, fermented, nor is nitrite used in its production. The objective of the study was to compare the quality parameters and consumer acceptance of common eland meat droëwors with different quantities of added beef fat. Three treatments containing either 10, 15, or 20% (by weight) added beef fat were compared regarding chemical composition, fatty acid profiles, and sensory properties. Increasing the amount of fat in the dried product resulted in a significant decrease in the protein and ash percentages. The sausages with 10% added fat had the most favourable fatty acid profile in terms of nutritional value. Several differences were found in the sensory profiles of the products evaluated by the trained sensory panel; in particular, the evaluation scores for texture improved with increasing fat content. No differences were found between the products by the untrained consumer panel for appearance and taste. When the dataset was analysed according to gender, it was found that women evaluated the 10% fat samples more favourably. This is in line with their stated preference for low-fat meat products. For these reasons, the production of sausages with the lowest fat content can be recommended as they best meet consumer expectations.

Physical properties during a 28-day ageing period of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) Longissimus thoracis et lumborum and Biceps femoris muscles

The study aimed to determine the effect of sex, muscle-type, and ageing on the physical properties of blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi) Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and Biceps femoris (BF) muscles. Randomly assigned steak samples from twenty mature blesbok (10 of each sex) antelope were vacuum-packed and stored at 4.4 ± 1 °C for 2, 4, 7, 10, 17 and 28 ageing days. Cumulative purge loss, pH, colour (L*, a*, b), cooking loss, and Warner Braztler shear force were determined. Males had meat with higher (P = 0.032) pH values than females, while all other attributes were similar (P > 0.05). The LTL had greater (P < 0.05) purge losses, L* and a* values than the BF muscle, while other quality attributes were greater (P < 0.05) for the BF muscle. Despite fluctuations, there was an overall decrease in shear force with ageing time. According to all quality parameters measured, the optimum ageing period for blesbok would seem to be 10 days.

Clinical and hematologic features of experimental theileriosis in roan calves (Hippotragus equinus)

Theileria sp. (sable) infection commonly causes significant calf mortality in endangered roan antelopes (Hippotragus equinus). Schizont-induced leukocyte transformation and systemic immune dysregulation with associated cytopenias characterizes theileriosis in livestock. Data on related hematologic alterations are scarce in roan antelopes. The objective of this study was to investigate temporal changes in selected clinical parameters and hematologic measurands in experimentally infected (EI) roan calves. Six of eight calves developed theileriosis after inoculation with a Theileria sp. (sable)-infected tick stabilate. Consecutive measures of rectal temperature, lymph node size, white blood cell count (WBC), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin concentration, differential leukocyte counts, leukocyte and erythrocyte morphology and percentage parasitemia were recorded. Data were compared with 15 age-matched PCR-negative control calves and nine older immune animals that had recovered from natural infection. Two non-pyrexic EI calves recovered uneventfully. Six pyrexic calves were treated, four of which died. Time to pyrexia and/or observation of schizonts and piroplasms was approximately two weeks. Total WBCs were unchanged post-infection (PI); neutrophils and typical monocytes decreased whereas typical lymphocytes (Ls) and atypical mononuclear leukocytes (AMLs), which were grouped together, increased. Parasitized and non-parasitized lymphocyte and AML (L/AML) size increased significantly PI. Piroplasms occurred intermittently at low frequencies («1 % of erythrocytes) after infection. Fatally infected calves were dehydrated, anemic, and icteric with hemorrhages and multi-organ infiltration by AMLs. The PCV and hemoglobin concentration increased PI, and platelet clumps were consistently observed. Experimental acute theileriosis in roan antelopes follows a similar pattern of disease progression to that in domestic livestock. Parasitized and non-parasitized AMLs are pivotal to the pathogenesis and require phenotypic characterization if we are to further our understanding of disease progression and severity in roan antelopes.

Placentation and hormonal maintenance of pregnancy in the impala (Aepyceros melampus)

INTRODUCTION

The impala is a widely distributed African ungulate. Detailed studies of the placenta and ovaries in impala undertaken in the 1970s did not address the endocrine functions of the placenta.

METHODS

The uteri of 25 pregnant impala estimated to be between 49 and 113 days of the 190 day gestation were examined grossly, histologically and immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

A single corpus luteum was present in either maternal ovary but the conceptus was always situated in the right uterine horn. The fetal membranes extended to the tips of both uterine horns. The amnion was in intimate contact with, but not fused to, the allantochorion. Placentation was typically ruminant with fetal macrocotyledons attached to the rows of maternal caruncles. The fetal villi were highly branched, especially in the centre of each placentome where the attenuated maternal epithelium lining the placental crypts was absent in some places. Both the corpus luteum and the uninucleate trophoblast cells of the interplacentomal allantochorion stained strongly for 3-β hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, and progestagen concentrations in allantoic and amniotic fluids increased significantly as gestation progressed, with a tendency to do likewise in maternal serum. Binucleate trophoblast cells stained positively for bovine placental lactogen, but neither the placenta nor the maternal corpus luteum showed evidence of oestrogen synthesis.

DISCUSSION

Despite exhibiting the same basic type of placentation, both the gross and histological structure of the impala placenta, along with its immunohistochemical properties, demonstrates that great variation exists across ruminant placentas.

Investigating the genetic diversity and presence of forensically informative nucleotide sequences in Indian antelope (Antilope cervicapra) using multiple genes of the mitochondrial genome

Indian antelope or Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is one of the widely distributed endemic species in India among wild bovids and a majority of preferred habitats are in human-dominated landscapes. Poaching threats and habitat degradation are major factors for the decline in Blackbuck population from its distribution range. Till date, there is no detailed study using molecular techniques in India on Blackbuck, except a few studies entailing phylogenetic scenario based on inadequate sampling and DNA sequences restricted over limited geographic areas. In view of this, the present study is aimed to screen the Blackbuck samples from a large part of its distribution range and to investigate the genetic diversity as well as to identify the forensically informative nucleotide sequences (FINS) for species identification. We relied on multi-genes approach using three genes of mtDNA genome viz. Cytochrome Oxidase I, Cytochrome b and 16S rRNA and identified the FINS in the Blackbuck population along with conspecific sequences divergence and genetic diversity indices. In all three genes, we observed 8 to 17 haplotypes with the intra-species sequence divergence of 0.004-0.016. Inter-species sequence divergence with the other closely related species of the Blackbuck was 0.0225-0.033. We report the presence of FINS across three genes from 12 to 18 and found more informative nucleotide sites using Cytochrome Oxidase I genes compared to Cytochrome b and 16S rRNA gene. We did not observe the presence of geographic-specific FINS amongst Blackbuck population that can be used to assign individuals to geographic origin. Besides, in the phylogenetic tree, samples from different locations did not cluster into geographic-specific clade and exhibited mixed homology for these sequences. We suggest exploring the feasibility of using nuclear markers for population assignment.

Non-invasive hormonal characterization of the ovarian cycle, pregnancy, and seasonal anestrus of the female addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis)

Non-invasive fecal hormone metabolite monitoring was used to characterize the estrous cycle, pregnancy, and seasonal anestrus of the critically endangered addra gazelle (Nanger dama ruficollis). With less than 250 animals remaining in the wild and ∼168 individuals managed in captivity, it is crucial to maintain sustainable populations. Progestogen and estrogen profiles were obtained from analysis of fecal samples collected approximately every other day, within varying intervals, over the course of 7 years (n = 8 adult females). Average estrous cycle length was 19.5 ± 0.4 days (range, 14-26 days), with a luteal phase length of 14.6 ± 1.2 days (range, 10-16 days), and an inter-luteal period of 5.2 ± 1.4 days (range, 2-7 days). Mean gestation length for six pregnancies was 200.7 ± 0.4 days (range, 200-202 days). Fecal progestogens increased at 12 weeks of gestation and remained elevated until parturition. Addra gazelle females exhibited a period of seasonal anestrus with consistently low progestogen concentrations and no cyclic activity from about September to March. Analysis of reproductive and climate records demonstrated a peak in U.S. births that coincided with maximal rainfall in the native habitat of the addra gazelle. Results show that estrous cycle, luteal phase, and inter-luteal phase lengths in addra are similar to those observed in other gazelle species, however, to our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate seasonal anestrus in the Nanger genus.

Seroprevalence of infectious diseases in saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica tatarica) in Kazakhstan 2012-2014

286 serum samples were collected from three sub-populations of saiga in Kazakhstan (Betpakdala, Ustyurt and Volga-Ural) between 2012 and 2014, and were tested for the presence of antibodies to Brucella spp., bluetongue virus, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) virus, Akabane virus, Schmallenberg virus, Chlamydophila, Toxoplasma, Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis and Coxiella burnetii (Q Fever). Seropositives to Coxiella burnetii of saiga were detected and the adjusted seroprevalence of Q Fever antibodies was 0.07 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.03-0.10). Seropositives to Akabane virus were detected in all three populations and the adjusted seroprevalence values for this virus were very high (all were>0.13). Lower adjusted seroprevalence values were estimated for PPR Virus and Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (0.005 and 0.006). No seropositives for bluetongue, Toxoplasma, Brucella or Schmallenberg were detected.

Phylogenetic analyses of gazelles reveal repeated transitions of key ecological traits and provide novel insights into the origin of the genus Gazella

African bovids are a famous example of a taxonomic group in which the correlated evolution of body size, feeding mode, gregariousness, and social organization in relation to the preferred habitat type has been investigated. A continuum has been described ranging from small-bodied, sedentary, solitary or socially monogamous, forest- or bush-dwelling, browsing species that seek shelter from predation in dense vegetation, to large-bodied, migratory, highly gregarious, grazing taxa inhabiting open savannahs and relying on flight or group-defense behaviors when facing predators. Here, we examined a geographically widespread clade within the Bovidae (the genus Gazella) that shows minimal interspecific variation in body size and asked if we could still uncover correlated changes of key ecological and behavioral traits during repeated transitions from open-land to mountain-dwelling. Our study used a multi-locus phylogeny (based on sequence variation of Cytb and six nuclear intron markers) of all extant members of the genus Gazella to infer evolutionary patterns of key ecological and behavioral traits and to estimate ancestral character states using Bayesian inference. At the base of the Gazella-phylogeny, open plains were inferred as the most likely habitat type, and three independent transitions toward mountain-dwelling were uncovered. Those shifts coincided with shifts from migratory to sedentary lifestyles. Character estimation for group size was largely congruent with movement patterns in that species forming large groups tended to be migratory, while small group size was correlated with a sedentary lifestyle. Evolutionary patterns of two other conspicuous traits (twinning ability vs. exclusive singleton births and hornless vs. horned females) did not follow this trend in the Gazella-phylogeny. Furthermore, we inferred the genus Gazella to have emerged in the Late Miocene to Pliocene (10-3Mya), and estimating ancestral ranges based on a Dispersal-Extinction-Cladogenesis model found the Middle East to be the most likely origin of the genus.

Complete genome sequence of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar ovis strain P54B96 isolated from antelope in South Africa obtained by rapid next generation sequencing technology

The Actinobacteria, Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis strain P54B96, a nonmotile, non-sporulating and a mesophile bacterium, was isolated from liver, lung and mediastinal lymph node lesions in an antelope from South Africa. This strain is interesting in the sense that it has been found together with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) which could nevertheless play a role in the lesion formation. In this work, we describe a set of features of C. pseudotuberculosis P54B96, together with the details of the complete genome sequence and annotation. The genome comprises of 2.34 Mbp long, single circular genome with 2,084 protein-coding genes, 12 rRNA, 49 tRNA and 62 pseudogenes and a G+C content of 52.19%. The analysis of the genome sequence provides means to better understanding the molecular and genetic basis of virulence of this bacterium, enabling a detailed investigation of its pathogenesis.