If it is a 1D system perfect periodic system ( nanowire ) then there should be no difference between 48 atoms and 72 atoms. If there are soo, it is due to one (or both) issues:
1) Your electrode is too short and should be increased in size.
2) The geometry is not correct and not perfect, and hence the transmission spectrum can depend strongly on the number of atoms in the central region.
If the current is larger for 48 atoms, and for 72 atoms, then you know that your system is not a metallic system ( this is most likely due to one of the two issues listed above ).
You will have this information for certain before you can make any conclusions. In general metallic system should remain metallic, if a bias is applied. However in some semi-metallic systems
it is sometimes seen that applying a bias can make the system appear like a semi conductor.