The yield and carcass chemical composition of impala (Aepyceros melampus),a southern African antelope species

This investigation analyses the commercial carcass yields and chemical comp osition of impala (Aepyceros melampus). The potential of this species for t he export market is also discussed. Impala rams (eight) and ewes (eight) cr opped commercially in Zimbabwe were found to have a similar dressout propor tion (580 g kg(-1)), although the males had a heavier live weight (49.4+/-4 .606 kg) than the females (33.5+/-3.417 kg). Sexual dimorphism was shown, w ith the males having significantly (p < 0.01) heavier necks (69+/-5.47 g kg (-1)) and forequarters (279+/-3.79 g kg(-1)) than the females (51+/-1.70 an d 259+/-2.15 g kg(-1) respectively) when expressed as a proportion of cold carcass weight (27.6+/-2.551 and 19.0+/-1.960 kg for males and females resp ectively). No sexual effects (p > 0.2) were found in the mean chemical prox imate composition of the 9-10-11 rib cut for the moisture (724.0+/-14.00 g kg(-1) pooled sample), protein (238.3+/-7.46 g kg(-1) pooled sample) and as h (21.2+/-3.74 g kg(-1) pooled sample) contents. The females had a statisti cally higher (p = 0.0197) mean total lipid content (33.9+/-1.705 g kg(-1)) than the males (24.5+/-3.171 g kg(-1)). This investigation occurred at the end of the impala rut season, a period when the rams not only consume less feed but also expend more energy owing to strenuous activities in fighting for and maintaining a harem. (C) 2000 Society of Chemical Industry.