Propionate alleviates palmitic acid–induced endoplasmic reticulum stress by enhancing autophagy in calf hepatic cells

Negative energy balance–induced high blood concentrations of free fatty acids during the early postpartum period in dairy cows is a major cause of liver injury. Cows in severe negative energy balance often have suboptimal intakes of feed, which contributes to shortfalls in production of ruminal propionate and circulating glucose. Although increasing propionate production by the rumen through feed additives such as propylene glycol is effective...