Effects of Dietary Galla Chinensis Tannin Supplementation on Antioxidant Capacity and Intestinal Microbiota Composition in Broilers

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

 Effects of dietary Galla Chinensis tannin supplementation on 2 antioxidant capacity and intestinal microbiota composition of 3 broilers

Manuscript Agriculture 2566167 Peer Rev. V1.

The revised contribution is within the scope and topic of the Special Issue: “Effects of Dietary Interventions on Poultry Production” of the Journal Agriculture, it is relevant and there is interest from the scientific community and society, with some novelty for the broiler meat product and It provides important technical and scientific information, however, the manuscript presents some technical deficiencies.

Authors are recommended to attend to the observations and suggestions indicated  and detailed below, in an effort to improve their technical, scientific and presentation quality. It is important that authors attend to the following:

Abstract

- In the first statement, include that the study also included the evaluation of the expression of the Nrf2, HO-1, CAT, GPX1, and NQO1 genes; also indicate its definition later in the same section.

Introduction

-Include in this section information on the importance and function of the genes evaluated

-Also include as part of the objective and hypothesis of the study the evaluation of the expression of the Nrf2, HO-1, CAT, GPX1, and NQO1 genes.

Materials and methods

-In my opinion, as indicated by the authors in the introduction section, there is information that tannins influence the growth of broilers, therefore information on the response of productive behavior should be attached.

-Regarding the diets supplied, if the antioxidant capacity of the Galla Chinensis tannins was evaluated in broilers, why an additive antioxidant compound was included in both fed diets at 0.02%?.

-In the information in Table 1, I suggest using g/kg instead of %.

-Use mL not mL (P4-L111) throughout the manuscript.

Statistic analysis

-Indicate the experimental design used in the study.

Results

-In the results of expression of genes related to antioxidants, the authors must indicate that they refer to the relative expression, considering the control group as 1 and the treated group as X times more or X times less than relative expression. Example.

Figure 3 presents the relative expression levels of antioxidant-related genes…

-Complete the title of Table 3, it is not easily understood.

-I recommend the authors and editor to integrate the information in Tables S1 and S2 to the manuscript.

Discussion

-The discussion paragraphs are very long, perhaps the authors can shorten them.

-The paragraph of P11-L308-309 is misplaced, transfer to the conclusions section.

-The following statement starts with a capital letter.

-P12-L340-341. (we) We found that dietary 300 mg/kg GCT sup-340 complementation increased the abundance of Firmicutes and overtook Bacteroidetes to be-341 come the most abundant phylum…

-This statement is somewhat risky since the supplied tannins only increased butyrate and tended to increase total short-chain fatty acids: [Overall, GCT supplementation might enhance the antioxidant capacity of broilers by promoting the growth of SCFAs-generating bacteria].

Conclusion

-No observations.

 

 

 

 

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Reviewer 2 Report

 

Introduction

Why did you choose that concentration of GCT? Just based on one study from the specialized literature or are there many others? Why haven't you used one more level of GCT, a lower one for example, to compare if a lower dose of GCT could bring some significant results on the analyzed parameters?

Line 72 page 2: Use the unabbreviated form and the abbreviated in brackets

Line 73 page 2: Rephrase lines 73-74 because is not clear the form of supplement you used. Mention, if possible, the solvent, and type of microencapsulation, the coating agent used by producer.

When did the administration with GCT start? Mention because is a little ambiguous.

Describe more the environmental conditions in the hall, the type of housing.

Line 80 81 page 2- Mention the vaccination schedule

Line 96 page 3: How were the broilers euthanized? Specify the procedure.

Table 1: What exactly was removed from the basal diet to add GCT? Please add the composition of the diet for the GCT group.

Line 66 page 10 : observed

Line 305 page 11 : it would be better if you use a citation on broiler.

Did you record the performance parameters? If so, I believe they can be added to the article to demonstrate that that dose did not affect broiler performance in that favorable context of antioxidant status and gut health.

Line 335-336: page 11 What about the effect of other doses used in other studies? Discuss more about your results and also compare with the results of others.

LINES 334-336: Or maybe in the type of GCT used, the microencapsulation technique, the solvent, the coating agent used. There are many other factors that could influence the results for the same dose.

Line 340 page 11: replace w with W

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear Authors,

After the revision made, the manuscript can be accepted in the curent form. Thank you!