„Ensuring sufficient animal protein production for the growing human population may be supported by integrating alternative
sources of meat into the commercial market, including various farmed game species. However, it is necessary to ensure satisfactory and uniform meat quality for the commercial market, which is influenced by several factors, including the histological composition of the muscle. Understanding these characteristics can provide an insight into the expected meat quality of these game species and subsequently determine appropriate processing methods. The aim of the study was therefore to compare the muscle fibre properties of farmed fallow deer (Dama dama) and common eland (Tragelaphus oryx) with cattle (Bos taurus). A total of 30 males (10 of each species) were included in the experiment, from which samples of the longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL), triceps brachii (TB) and rectus abdominis (RA) muscles were taken and subjected to histological analysis of muscle fibres. Compared to fallow deer and eland, cattle had a significantly larger muscle fibre area for all muscles. The LTL muscle of fallow deer and eland had a lower proportion of type I fibres and a higher proportion of type IIA fibres compared to cattle. Moreover, the proportion of type I fibres was lower in the LTL of fallow deer and eland compared to other muscles, differences which were not observed in cattle. Differences in muscle fibre traits between cattle and game species found in this study are likely due to genetic adaptations of game to high-speed running and jumping.“