Multi-omics analyses reveal that the gut microbiome and its metabolites promote milk fat synthesis in Zhongdian yak cows

Abstract

A study of the gut microbe, gut metabolites, and milk fat percentage of Zhongdian yak cows revealed that the variations in milk fat percentage between yak cows may be caused by the gut microbes and their metabolites, especially <i>Firmicutes-</i>myristic acid and <i>Proteobacteria-</i>choline interactions, which are important to milk fat synthesis. Our study provides new insights into the functional roles of the gut microbiome in producing small molecule metabolites and contributing to milk performance traits in yak cows.