Effect of a Diet Based on Biotransformed Sorghum on Rabbit Intestinal Morphology and Fecal Fiber Composition

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The aim of this work was to compare a rabbit’s diet based on untreated sorghum with a second one applying the cereal biotransformed by co-cultivation of two basidiomycetes.

The study was well designed and described, but some adjustments are necessary.

1. Keywords:

-          Authors should choose terms that appear in the MeSH (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/), preferably.

2.    Introduction

-          The phrase between the lines 89-94 can be removed.

 3. Results:

-          Results and Discussion should be placed in separate topics and not together as the authors did.

-          Table 2 and the topic "Sorghum and feces fiber composition" are repeated. It is necessary to withdraw.

-          It would be interesting if the authors provided a board of images so that readers could see the histological differences between the two treatments in the different intestinal segments, both for villi and crypts.

-          Were no other changes observed in the intestinal mucosa, such as inflammation or lymphoid hyperplasia? It would be important to describe these findings as well, as sorghum was treated with basidiomycetes.

-          In the item "Effects on intestinal morphology", page 8, line 325, the authors cite a Table 5, but this table was not inserted.

-          Table 4 – “Crypt depth in small intestine and caecum” - The authors put "colon" in the segment column, but I believe it is "caecum". In the footer, the correct is *µm and not only * m.

4. References:

-          Remove the sentence “Author 1, A.B.; Author 2, C.D. Title of the article. Abbreviated Journal Name Year, Volume, page range.”.

Author Response

Thank you so much by your comments. All observations have been attended. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The manuscript presents a good scientific design and obtained results that were appropriately discussed.

 

However, authors are requested to carry out minor revisions of English and to check that the instructions contained in the template provided by the journal are removed, as for example between lines 89 and 94.

Author Response

Muchas gracias por sus comentarios. Todas las observaciones han sido atendidas. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Lines 89-94 need to be removed. They are instructions that the journal has given to the authors. It is irrelevant to the introduction altogether. 

In lines 135-136 the protocol to oven dry is very vague and incomplete. What was the duration of drying? 

Overall the paper is a comparative strategy to introduce biodegradable high fiber and promote bioavailability nutrients in rabbit diet and metabolic processes. It is based on previous research adapted on different substrate used. The introduction needs corrective changes and the experimental methods need some detailing. Overall if the changes are fixed, it is a good study conducted. 

Author Response

Thank you so much by your comments. All observations have been attended. 

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors made all the suggested changes.