Research on the Historical Dynamics of Baicheng Oil Chicken Populations
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsBased on the whole gene resequencing data of 16 chicken breeds, this study analyzed the historical dynamics of the population by means of population genetics. The results will provide a theoretical basis for the scientific protection and utilization of Baicheng Fatty Chicken germplasm resources. The research ideas are clear and the research results are rich. However, there are still some problems, and it is recommended to make some revisions.
- Line 46, the effective population size (Ne) belongs to the parameter of population genetics research. Population genetics should be put forward before Ne.
- The number of individuals of each chicken breeds can be supplemented in Figure 1.
- Lines 72-72 indicates that the sequencing depth is at least 10×, but the average sequencing depth in the 117th line is 9.27×.
- Line 134, the full name of Ne has been marked above, and the abbreviation can be used here.
- In line 105, P should be italicized.
- Figure 6 should be labeled with the adjusted P-value.
- Please improve the clarity of the Figure.
Author Response
- Line 46, the effective population size (Ne) belongs to the parameter of population genetics research. Population genetics should be put forward before Ne.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. Therefore, We have made the necessary changes. See line 47.
- The number of individuals of each chicken breeds can be supplemented in Figure 1.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore,we have supplemented the number of individuals of each chicken breeds in Figure 1. See line 75.
- Lines 72-72 indicates that the sequencing depth is at least 10×, but the average sequencing depth in the 117th line is 9.27×.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. Lines 74 indicates that sequencing depth of raw reads is at least 10X，but lines 117-120 indicates that the average depth of clean reads which has been quality controlled by raw reads. So, the data are inconsistent. Therefore, We have made the necessary changes. See line 118.
- Line 134, the full name of Ne has been marked above, and the abbreviation can be used here.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have deleted the historical effective population size. See line 135. And we have made uniform and revisions throughout the entire text.
- In line 105, P should be italicized.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have made the modification See line 105.
- Figure 6 should be labeled with the adjusted P-value.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore, we have made the modification. See Figure 7.
- Please improve the clarity of the Figure.
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment.
Therefore, we have made the modification. See Figure1,Figure 2,Figure 3, Figure 4.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors- The authors provide data on the number of sequenced samples in geographical locations of chicken studies.
- There is no citation to the article from which the information is provided! (lines 225-227)
Author Response
- Theauthors provide data on the number of sequenced samples in geographical locations of chicken
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. We agree with this comment. Therefore,we have supplemented the number of individuals of each chicken breeds in Figure 1.
- There isno citation to the article from which the information is provided! (lines 225-227)
Response:Thank you for pointing this out. This result is the outcome of our experiment, so no references are presented. We cited the literature in our discussion. See line 335-353.
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsPeer Review Report
1. General Assessment
This manuscript presents an experimental study evaluating the combined effects of Bacillus
subtilis and antibiotics on broiler performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, and gut
microbiota. The topic is timely and relevant, especially in the context of reducing antibiotic
use in poultry production. The experimental design appears appropriate, and the
manuscript covers multiple important parameters.
However, the manuscript would benefit significantly from thorough language editing to
improve clarity and fluency. There are numerous grammatical errors, awkward phrasings,
and inconsistent verb tenses. The presentation of results could also be improved for
precision. Below are detailed grammar and language-related comments with corresponding
line numbers.
2. Detailed Comments on Grammar and Language (with Line Numbers)
Line Comment
19 “combined with probiotics” → consider “in combination with probiotics” for
smoother phrasing
22 “content of volatile fatty acid (VFA) and meat quality traits were evaluated” →
“contents of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and meat quality traits were evaluated”
27 “increase in the VFA production” → “an increase in VFA production”
31 “can be considered as an alternative strategy” → “may be considered a potential
alternative strategy”
47 “are a common strategy” → better phrased as “is a common strategy” to agree
with the singular subject “use”
55 “and have been widely used in animal industry” → “and have been widely used in
the animal industry”
66 “This is a spore-forming Gram-positive bacterium...” → consider integrating more
smoothly with previous sentence
69 “the use of B. subtilis as a potential alternative to antibiotics...” → better: “B.
subtilis has been proposed as a potential alternative to antibiotics...”
90 “However, no study has evaluated the synergistic effects...” → “However, few
studies have evaluated the synergistic effects...”
108 “The experiment was conducted at College of Animal Science and Technology...” →
“The experiment was conducted at the College of Animal Science and
Technology...”
115 “randomly divided into 4 treatments...” → “randomly assigned to 4 treatment
groups...” is more standard
138 “and samples were frozen at −80 °C for further microbiota analysis” → consider
moving this clause to follow the sample collection step more logically
174 “Shapiro-Wilk test was used to check the normal distribution” → “The Shapiro–
Wilk test was used to assess normality”
203 “ADG and ADFI in T1 and T2 group was significantly higher than that in control
group” → should be “ADG and ADFI in the T1 and T2 groups were significantly
higher than in the control group”
219 “did not differ significantly in the overall period” → could be clearer: “did not
show significant differences over the entire experimental period”
256 “higher VFA concentration in the T2 group suggested the enhancement of
microbial fermentation” → “suggests enhanced microbial fermentation in the
cecum”
273 “BS as feed additive” → “BS as a feed additive”
289 “suggests that BS may have a positive influence on microbial community” → “on
the microbial community”
301 “probiotic and antibiotic combination could be a potential feed additive” → “could
serve as a potential feed additive strategy”
313 “These results indicated that...” → better: “These results indicate that...” (present
tense preferred in conclusion)
319 “was significantly increased compared with the control group (p < 0.05)” → “was
significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05)”
3. Summary and Recommendation
The scientific content of the manuscript is relevant and potentially publishable. However,
the clarity and quality of English need significant improvement for publication. I
recommend a major revision focused on:
- Comprehensive language and grammar editing
- Improved clarity and consistency in the description of results
- Slight restructuring of some sentences for logical flow
Once revised, the manuscript could contribute to the field of poultry nutrition and
microbiota modulation.
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
The content of this opinion is inconsistent with my research content.
Round 2
Reviewer 3 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThe authors addressed my questions and comments very vell.
