Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41888651›Full record

ArticleBMC genomics2026

Investigating the potential role of propionylcarnitine in milk pentadecanoic acid synthesis in Chinese holstein dairy cows using multi-omics analysis.

Huimin Zhang, Jiahe Cong, Xin Hu, Dongsheng Lu, Sam C Kollie, Ahmed A Elolimy, Juan J Loor, Zhendong Yang, Mingxun Li, Yongjiang Mao and 1 more

Abstract read
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMC genomics, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Huimin Zhang *Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8547-8243
Jiahe Cong *Key Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2334-6284
Xin HuKey Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
Dongsheng LuKey Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
Sam C KollieKey Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
Ahmed A ElolimyDepartment of Integrative Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, 15551, United Arab Emirates.
Juan J LoorDepartment of Animal Sciences, Division of Nutritional Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
Zhendong YangTechnology Innovation Center of Meat and Meat Products, State Administration for Market Regulation, Jinan, 250101, China.
Mingxun LiKey Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
Yongjiang MaoKey Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China.
Zhangping YangKey Laboratory for Animal Genetics, Breeding, Reproduction and Molecular Design of Jiangsu Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, China. yzp@yzu.edu.cn.

Funding

Yangzhou City Policy Guidance Program (International Science and Technology Cooperation) Project in China YZ2024269
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPentadecanoic acid (C15:0) is an odd-chain fatty acid (OCFA) with significant health benefits, its content in milk is regulated by both ruminal microbial metabolism and mammary gland synthesis. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of C15:0 synthesis, we conducted 16S rRNA sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) of ruminal fluid of Chinese Holstein dairy cows with low (1.03 ± 0.01%, Low group) and high (1.39 ± 0.06%, High group) milk C15:0 content. Additionally, an in vitro study was performed using key ruminal metabolite to culture bovine mammary epithelial cells (BMECs).

resultsRuminal propionate level increased in the High group. 16S rRNA sequencing identified 3 bacterial species with differential abundance, including higher levels of Prevotella_bryantii and Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_DJF_B223 in the High group, while lower level of Fibrobacter_sp_UWH4. Metabolomic analysis revealed 7 differential metabolites (mean decrease accuracy > 0 and p < 0.05), primarily lipid metabolites, amino acid derivatives, and compounds linked to energy metabolism and signaling. These metabolites were enriched in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolic pathways. Correlation analysis indicated positive associations among milk C15:0 content, the increased bacterial species, and the differential metabolite propionylcarnitine (PLC). Consequently, PLC was selected for in vitro study which demonstrated that 100 µM PLC for 24 h treatment enhanced BMECs proliferation, increased C15:0 content, and decreased C17:0 content compared with BMECs treated without PLC. The RNA-seq identified 536 differentially expressed genes (DEGs; p < 0.05 and fold change > 1.2) between the two BMECs groups. PLC upregulated the expression of DEGs related to lipid metabolism, including hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase 4 (HSD17B4), glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase, mitochondrial (GPAM), and CD36 molecule (CD36), while western blotting demonstrated that the protein expression of HSD17B4 was also upregulated. KEGG enrichment analysis showed 536 DEGs were enriched in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors signaling pathway, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, lipid and atherosclerosis.

conclusionsThe Higher abundance of Prevotella_bryantii and Lachnospiraceae_bacterium_DJF_B223 in the rumen of dairy cows related with the higher level of PLC, and more PLC was transported to the mammary gland. In BMECs, PLC enhanced C15:0 synthesis via upregulating the peroxisomal β‑oxidation mediated by HSD17B4.

Indexed as

CarnitineFatty AcidsMilkAnimalsCattleEpithelial CellsFemaleMammary Glands, AnimalMetabolomicsMultiomicsRNA, Ribosomal, 16SRumenCarnitineFatty Acidspentadecanoic acidpropionylcarnitineRNA, Ribosomal, 16SBovine mammary epithelial cellsDairy cowsPropionylcarnitineRuminal metabolomeRuminal microbiome

Identifiers

PMID41888651
PMCPMC13262082

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.