International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 54-61 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 58 thereby regulate gene expression levels. Seasonal hormone fluctuations may lead to epigenetic changes by affecting the activity of certain epigenetic modifying enzymes. Seasonal environmental stresses, such as temperature changes and fluctuations in food supply, may also affect the epigenetic status of rabbits by activating their stress response systems. These changes may adjust the physiological state of rabbits through epigenetic regulation in the short term to adapt to seasonal environmental changes. Seasonal changes have a profound impact on the physiological state of rabbits, and this impact may be reflected by epigenetic changes in regulating genes. Fully understanding the relationship between seasonal changes and epigenetic changes in rabbits will help to further explore the adaptation mechanisms of organisms in different seasonal environments, and provide useful information for rabbit breeding, field ecology and other fields. In the following chapters, this study will specifically explore how seasonal changes affect the epigenetic characteristics of rabbits through empirical research and case analysis. 4 Empirical Research and Case Analysis 4.1 Effects of typical seasonal changes on rabbit epigenetics In an in-depth study of the relationship between epigenetic changes and seasonal changes in rabbits, this study focused on the impact of typical seasonal changes on rabbit epigenetics. Past research has shown that seasonal changes can significantly affect the physiological processes of rabbits, including photoperiod regulation, appetite and reproductive behavior (Oladimeji et al., 2022). Seasonal changes have a profound impact on the physiology of organisms due to their periodicity and significance. As a common experimental animal, seasonal changes in physiological characteristics of rabbits have become the focus of research. These physiological processes are closely related to epigenetic changes. closely related. The research team selected the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn and winter. Through the collection and analysis of rabbit epigenetic markers, they found that rabbit gene expression showed obvious dynamic adjustments under seasonal changes. In particular, some genes related to physiological processes such as immunity and metabolism show significant differences in seasonal changes. This provides important clues for understanding the physiological adaptation of rabbits in different seasons (Hassan et al., 2022). Photoperiod regulation is one of the main factors in seasonal changes, and epigenetic regulation in rabbits is often affected by photoperiod. Rabbits may experience different epigenetic patterns during long-day summers than during short-day winters. The study found that the expression levels of certain epigenetic marks increased significantly in summer, which may be related to the regulation of gene expression by photoperiod. Seasonal changes may also affect the appetite and energy metabolism of rabbits, thereby indirectly regulating epigenetics. During winter, food resources may be limited, leading to changes in energy metabolism in rabbits, which in turn affects patterns of epigenetic modifications. This seasonal metabolic adjustment may produce seasonal epigenetic changes through mechanisms such as regulating DNA methylation or histone modifications (Figure 1). Figure 1 Rabbit in the molting period
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