Early concentrate starter introduction induces rumen epithelial parakeratosis by blocking keratinocyte differentiation with excessive ruminal butyrate accumulation

Rumen epithelial parakeratosis, a common disease in ruminants caused by abnormalities in the ruminal stratified squamous epithelial keratinization process, negatively impacts ruminant health and performance. While we still lack a comprehensive perception of the underlying mechanisms and the predisposing factors for this disorder.Here, we investigated rumen epithelial cell heterogeneity, differentiation trajectories, and cornification to clarify the rumen epithelial keratinization process.