PONE-D-23-22558Development of selection strategies for genetic improvement in production traits of Mecheri sheep based on a Bayesian multi trait evaluationPLOS ONE

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Considering the reviewers' suggestions, 

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Best regards,

Julio Souza

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Additional Editor Comments:

Dear Sir,

Considering the reviewers' suggestions,

I request that adjustments be made, to continue with the procedures.

Best regards,

Julio Souza

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: No

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: the paper title as well as the objective is very interesting. the methodology part was incorporated with wisely and correctly keep it up. statistical analysis part were better to do by use latest soft were.

Reviewer #2: Numbers of records used for the analysis should be clear in the abstract and methods sections. Although Table 1 has the numbers of records it is not clear if all the lamb records have an identified dam and sire. It would be clearer to the reader if "Dams (n=) and their progeny (n=) were analyzed. All lambs had identified sires (n=)".

Table 4 - model 2 is missing as is indication of best fit.

Discussion "birth weight" is birth weight a "growth factor"? For clarity suggest "birth weight is usually measured and used as an indication of growth potential"

Discussion "post-weaning growth traits" mid-paragraph. Suggest "Research on growth traits has established age-related increase in direct heritability..." Last sentence of the paragraph is long suggest breaking to two sentences. "The present study estimated moderate heritability values for post-weaning growth traits. This demonstrates there is adequate genetic variability for improved post-weaning growth through genetic selection."

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes: Brenda Alexander

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Development of selection strategies for genetic improvement in production traits of Mecheri sheep based on a Bayesian multi trait evaluation

PONE-D-23-22558R1

Dear Dr. Thiruvenkadan,

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

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Kind regards,

Julio Cesar de Souza, Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: