Integrative metagenomic, metabolomic and single-cell transcriptomic analyses uncover cellular and microbial mechanisms of rumen development in early-life yaks
Early-life rumen development is essential for growth, nutrient utilization, and environmental adaptation in yaks (Bos grunniens), a keystone livestock species on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Although the rumen microbiome may contribute to postnatal rumen maturation by shaping fermentation and metabolite production, the developmental dynamics linking the rumen microbiome, metabolome, and epithelial cell programs remain unclear. Using multi-omics, this study aimed to elucidate age-associated changes in the rumen ecosystem of early-life yaks and the association between microbial functions, rumen metabolites, and epithelial maturation.