International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 54-61 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 55 1 Epigenetic Changes in Rabbits 1.1 Overview of epigenetics Epigenetics is a scientific field that studies gene expression and inheritance. It focuses not on changes in the DNA sequence itself, but on non-coding changes that are closely related to DNA. These changes include but are not limited to DNA methylation and histone modifications, both of which are one of the most important mechanisms in epigenetics (Lacal and Ventura, 2018). DNA methylation is a process that modifies DNA molecules by adding methyl groups. This modification usually occurs on the cytosine ring of DNA and can prevent the binding of transcription factors in the gene promoter region, thereby regulating gene expression. In rabbits, this methylation change may be closely related to seasonal changes, affecting their physiological and behavioral adaptations. Histone modification involves the modification of chromatin proteins, histones, and regulates the tightness of chromatin through acetation, methylation, etc. This affects gene accessibility, thereby regulating gene expression levels. In rabbits, changes in histone modifications may play a key role in seasonal physiological adaptations, such as to temperature and photoperiod. The importance of epigenetic changes lies in their ability to regulate gene expression, thereby affecting an organism's traits and adaptability. In the study of the relationship between rabbits and seasonal changes, this study focuses on how these epigenetic changes serve as a mechanism for organisms to respond to environmental changes. This not only expands people 's understanding of rabbit biology, but also provides a new theoretical and practical basis for broader ecological and adaptive evolution research. Epigenetics provides researchers with a unique perspective. By in-depth study of non-coding genetic changes, people can more fully understand the adaptive regulation mechanism of rabbits under seasonal changes. This provides a powerful tool and theoretical basis for this study to reveal the complex and precise relationship between epigenetic changes and seasonal changes in rabbits. 1.2 Basic genetic characteristics of domestic rabbits As a mammal, the rabbit's genome is the basis for its survival, development and environmental adaptation. Among the basic genetic characteristics of rabbits, reproductive strategy is one of the important aspects. Domestic rabbits are known for their excellent reproductive abilities, with female rabbits breeding during multiple seasons of the year. This reproductive strategy may be genetically regulated, giving rabbits the potential to adapt to seasonal changes. Genes play a key role in regulating reproductive behavior and physiological processes, so understanding how these genes are expressed and regulated is critical to understanding the impact of seasonal changes on epigenetic changes in rabbits (Marín-García and Llobat, 2021). The rabbit's behavioral habits also play an important role in its genetic characteristics. Seasonal changes may affect aspects of rabbit activity patterns, food intake, and social behavior. These changes in behavioral habits may be the result of genetic regulation and are closely related to the needs of rabbits to adapt to the environment in different seasons. By delving deeper into behavior-related genes in the rabbit genome, researchers can more fully understand how seasonal changes shape rabbit behavioral patterns and further reveal the mechanisms of epigenetic changes. Physiological characteristics are also an important part of the basic genetic characteristics of rabbits. For example, rabbits may differ at the genetic level in their sensitivity to temperature and their ability to digest food. Gene regulation of these physiological characteristics may be affected by seasonal changes to maintain physiological balance in rabbits under different environmental conditions. Understanding how these genes function and are regulated will provide researchers with insights into how seasonal changes cause epigenetic changes by affecting gene expression in rabbits. Research on the basic genetic characteristics of domestic rabbits not only helps people understand how this species adapts to seasonal changes at the genetic level, but also provides a basis for revealing the relationship
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