Linear and Nonlinear Mixed Models to Determine the Growth Curves of Weaned Piglets and the Effect of Sex on Growth
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Abstract:
Revise to provide a clear description of the piglet breed.
Lines 96 to 100:
Explain more about the purpose of the experiment, it is unclear.
MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Provide detailed instructions on measuring compounds in Table 1.
Lines 142 to 147:
Fully explain the rationale behind removing animals at different times.
Rewrite lines 214 to 216: Rephrase for improved clarity.
Results Section:
Focus solely on presenting results from statistical analysis; eliminate examples.
DISCUSSION:
Identify and condense repetitive content related to results in the Discussion section. Discussion carefully to remove or condense the repetition of results.
Conclusion:
Rewrite the conclusion for better comprehension.
Tables:
Enhance the overall presentation of tables, revising abbreviations as needed.
References:
Revise in-text references to align with the journal's guidelines meticulously.
Please carefully read the journal guidelines to authors and follow them throughout the text.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Author Response
Abstract
Piglet breed has been added in abstract.
Lines 96 to 100:
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Extra-details have been added in Table 1 caption.
Lines 142-147:
Reasons why animals were removed at different ages has been added in the text.
Lines 214 to 216:
Citations about the used software has been improved in accordance with the R software citation suggestion.
RESULTS
Some examples has been removed from the text in Results section.
DISCUSSION
We have removed some repetition of results in Discussion section. However, some of them were kept because we consider useful for the reader to present the result discussed close to its discussion.
CONCLUSION
We totally agree with your review, so conclusion section has ben remodelled.
TABLES:
We have worked on Table and table captions to clarify its interpretation.
REFERENCES
References format has been revised and adapted to journal requirements.
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Agriculture 2739688 peer review
Abstract
Term “weaned piglet at 21 days of age” or “intermediate phase” or “postweaning phase” could be present to emphasize point that different from other previous studied.
Introduction
First 2 paragraphs just too general and not directly related to this study such as two long sentences about stress of weaned pig, and Line 43 During this period ….. Line 48 … for pig growth, should reduce. More explanation and emphasize on important of postweaning phase, 4-10 week of age or 6-20 kg of BW, on swine production performance would be reconsider.
Result
Present as age of piglet or week postweaning like Figure 2 would be better.
Table 3. ….. week postwening or age (wk) of piglet.
Conclusion
It too long and too much paragraph, some may repeat in Result or Discussion sections, try to conclude in short.
Author Response
Abstract
Terms like "weaning piglet" or "postweaning phase" have been added along the text in order to emphasize the focus of this research.
Introduction
We have restructured the first two paragraphs of the introduction section in accordance with your suggestion.
Results
We have specified age of piglet in weeks in Table 3. However, we think it is more informative if Figure 4 and 5 have the x-axis in days postweaning.
Conclusion
We agree with your revision, so Conclusion section has been summarised and remodeled as suggested.
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
A revision of all tables is required, with particular attention to incorporating abbreviations in the footnotes for clarity.
For Table 1, a satisfactory explanation is still pending. Please include the composition of feed and other nutrients directly in the table.
Include a reference for lines 102 to 103.
Lines 113 to 117 lack clarity.
Comments on the Quality of English Language
Author Response
We have added in tables footnotes some important definitions of the abbreviations used.
Extra-explanation of ingredients and nutrients composition of feed have been included in Table 1.
Lines 102-103 refers to an strategic company decision, according to market requests. Therefore, we consider that no reference should be included in this position. We have writen this explanation in text.
