
The South African Society for Animal Science (SASAS) has changed the way the journal submission process is handled. An Online Journal Management System had been developed in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) to facilitate the Journal Submission & Review Process.
Authors are kindly requested to submit all future articles for publication in the SA Journal of Animal Science via the Online Journal Management system.
If you experience any problems with the system, please contact the Editor at sajas.eic@gmail.com.
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Performance trait analysis and genetic diversity of the SA Boerperd
This study determined the occurrence and frequency of mutations that influence performance traits in the SA Boerperd horse and evaluated genetic diversity within the breed. Two gait-associated and two height-associated mutations were investigated. Seventeen microsatellite markers were genotyped for 363…
Effect of zinc nanoparticles on embryo and chicken growth, and the content of zinc in tissues and faeces
The hypothesis was that owing to their high bioavailability, zinc oxide nanoparticles (NanoZnO) can effectively replace (Zn) salts and reduce Zn excretion with faeces. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of NanoZnO on the development of…
Correlations between PORCUS classification and androstenone in boars, and effects of cooking methods thereon
The aim of this research was to evaluate relationships between the PORCUS classification system and factors affecting boar taint in pork. Intact male pork carcasses (n = 176) were randomly selected in a South African commercial abattoir from three PORCUS…
Effect of different levels of supplementation after weaning on beef heifer development
The purpose of the study was to identify a cost-effective supplementation regimen to rear replacement heifers on transitional Cymbopogon-Themeda veld. A total of 120 Drakensberger heifers aged 6 - 7 months were randomly allocated to three supplementary treatment groups from…
Photoperiod effects on carcass traits, meat quality, and stress response in heart and lung of broilers
This study evaluated effects of photoperiod treatments on slaughter and carcass traits, meat quality, indicators of oxidative stress, and heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) levels of lung and heart tissues in broilers. Five hundred Ross 308 broiler chicks were used.…
Effect of breed on meat quality and global acceptance of native lambs and their crosses
International projections point to the growth in global production of sheep meat, mainly from developing countries. However, the exigencies of consumers on characterization of production systems, nutritional information, and sensorial analysis to target the preferences must be answered. The aim…
Chemical, nutritive, fermentation profile and gas production of citrus pulp silages, alone or combined with maize silage
Quality attributes of citrus pulp silages that were ensiled alone and combined with maize silage were determined. Fresh samples of lemon, orange and tangerine pulps, maize plants and their combinations were fermented in glass jars for 90 days at about…
Cumulative incidence and causal risk factors of carcass condemnations in a South African high-throughput cattle abattoir
Carcass condemnation is a problem in the South African beef industry, but the causes and risk factors have not been studied or quantified. Better understanding of the cumulative incidence and causative predictors of carcass condemnations could assist in improving cattle…
Variation in quality of newly hatched chicks from Japanese breeder quail fed guava extract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of guava extract as a dietary supplement for Japanese quail hens on incubation parameters, intestinal development, and the quality of newly hatched chicks. Six hundred and forty-eight eggs were collected…
Impact of dried brewers’ grains supplementation on performance, metabolism and meat quality of broiler chickens
The objective was to evaluate increasing levels of dried brewers’ grains (DBG) in feed for broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days old and their effect on performance, blood parameters, intestinal morphometry, carcass characteristics and meat quality. The design was…
Fatty acid profile and oxidative stability of egg yolks from hens under different production systems
This study was carried out to compare the egg quality, fatty acid (FA) profiles, and oxidative stability of yolks from hens maintained in cages and fed a conventional diet (CON), those fed a conventional diet with free access to outdoor…
Manipulating the onset of lambing season in communal ewes through hormonal intervention
The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of using long-acting medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) to delay the lambing season in communal wool sheep ewes. The study was conducted in three phases. In phase 1, a random assessment was made to…
Selenium and nano-selenium ameliorations in two breeds of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress
The objective of this study was to compare the effects of synthesized nano-selenium (NS) and commercial inorganic selenium (Se) on immunity, behaviour, and performance of Arbor (AB) and Ross (RB) broilers that were exposed to heat stress of 40 °C…
Ingestive behaviour and performance of feedlot lambs fed saccharine sorghum and corn silages
This study evaluated the ingestive behaviour and performance of feedlot lambs fed saccharine sorghum and corn silages. Ten animals were randomly selected from a group of 32 uncastrated male Suffolk lambs. The four treatments consisted of diets with 50% of…
Performance, intestinal histomorphology and bone composition of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with genistein
The effect of dietary genistein on performance, intestinal morphology, caecal Lactobacillus spp. count, and tibia composition in broiler chickens after 21 and 37 days of feeding was investigated. A total of 360 Cobb 500 broiler chickens (21 days old) were…
Supplemental linseed oil and antioxidants affect fatty acid composition, oxidation and colour stability of frozen pork
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of dietary linseed oil and antioxidants on the quality of fresh and frozen pork neck stored at -20 °C for six and 12 months. Polish Landrace x Duroc pigs were…
Immunoglobulin G response and performance in Holstein calves supplemented with garlic powder and probiotics
The study evaluated the effects of garlic, probiotics, and in combination on levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and growth performance in new-born Holstein calves. Thirty-two Holstein calves were randomly allocated to treatments at four days old and were maintained on…
Behaviour and stress in three breeds of laying hens kept in the same environment
The aim of the study was to determine whether birds of different breeds, with different preferences for environmental elements and kept in identical conditions, would exhibit different behaviour and stress levels. The research material consisted of 50 laying hens of…
Effect of maternal yeast feeding on dam performance and serum health biomarkers of Beetal goat kids
Supplementation with dietary yeast has improved digestibility and productive performance in ruminants. In this research the primary objective was to appraise the effects of dietary yeast supplementation of female goats during the transition period on milk composition and yield and…
Protease inclusion in plant- and animal-based broiler diets: Performance, digestibility and biometry of digestive organs
The addition of protease to broiler diets may complement the action of endogenous enzymes and improve protein digestibility. Here, the authors evaluated the effect of adding protease to broiler diets that contained animal-based meal on bird performance, digestibility, and biometry…