Milk composition of free-ranging springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis)

Milk was obtained from three free-ranging springbok ewes of the Karoo, South Africa. The nutrient content was 74.4 ± 13.8 g protein; 145.2 ± 4.5 g fat; and 42.3 ± 16.4 g lactose/kg milk. Small amounts of glucose, galactose and fucose were noted, and 0.3 ± 0.4 g oligosaccharides. The protein fraction respectively consisted of 60.0 ± 13.7 g caseins/kg milk and of 14.1 ± 4.5 g whey proteins/kg milk. The lactation stage of the springbok ewes was not known, but variation in milk composition among individuals indicates that they were at different stages. Electrophoresis and identification of protein bands showed a similar migrating sequence of proteins as seen in caprine milk. The lipid fraction contains 604.0 ± 26.5 g saturated fatty acids/kg milk fat, and 278.2 ± 20.5 and 45.2 ± 3.6 g/kg mono and poly-unsaturated fatty acids respectively. Compared to domesticated dairy species, a low content of short chain length fatty acids was observed, while stearic acid was at higher, and arachidonic acid at lower levels. Substantial levels of uneven carbon chain fatty acids were also observed. Springbok milk is much more concentrated than the milks of most ruminants, with higher fat and oligosaccharide contents.