International Journal of Molecular Zoology 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 54-61 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/ijmz 59 4.2 Relationship between seasonal changes and rabbit behavior and ecology In addition to direct effects on epigenetics, seasonal changes are closely related to behavioral and ecological characteristics of domestic rabbits. In the context of seasonal changes, domestic rabbits may exhibit different behavioral patterns and ecological strategies, and these changes may affect epigenetics through the regulation of neuroendocrine systems. Using various methods such as behavioral observations and ecological surveys, it was found that seasonal changes not only affect the physiological processes of rabbits, but also have a significant impact on their behavioral patterns and ecological adaptability. Research shows that seasonal changes have a significant impact on rabbit reproductive behavior. During the breeding season, domestic rabbits may display more intense courtship and social behaviors, which may lead to changes in the epigenetic regulation of related genes. Seasonal changes may also affect ecological habits such as rabbit migration behavior and territorial foraging, and these behavioral changes may be associated with dynamic adjustments of epigenetics. In warm spring, rabbit activity increases and exploratory behavior is significantly enhanced; while in cold winter, rabbits are more inclined to find hidden habitats and slow down their activities. This change in behavior is closely related to its survival strategy and reflects the rabbit's sensitivity to the environment during seasonal changes. In field observations, researchers found that domestic rabbits showed different activity patterns in different seasons, including changes in feeding behavior, nest construction, and group structure (Liu et al., 2023). These behavioral changes may be related to epigenetic regulation caused by seasonal changes, providing important clues for understanding the ecological adaptability of rabbits. 4.3 Case studies and interpretation of experimental results To gain a deeper understanding of the impact of seasonal changes on rabbit epigenetics, this study conducted a series of case studies and experiments. By collecting wild rabbit samples in different seasons and simulating the ecological environment under different seasonal conditions in the laboratory, the researchers obtained some interesting experimental results. Through the study of specific cases, this study further verified the impact of seasonal changes on rabbit epigenetics and behavior. Taking the northern hemisphere as an example, the research team conducted long-term observations of the same group of rabbits in different seasons and collected corresponding epigenetic and behavioral data (Bhatt and Sharma, 2009). In one case study, researchers found that DNA methylation levels in rabbits were significantly lower in the spring, higher during the cold winter months, and lower during the warmer summer months. Activation of specific genes. This change is consistent with seasonal vegetation growth and increased food abundance, suggesting that seasonal changes may affect the epigenetic regulation of rabbits through food supply, thereby regulating gene expression, thereby realizing the physiological adaptation of rabbits in different seasons. sexual changes. Further experiments showed that by adjusting light and temperature conditions, the experimenters were able to simulate the effects of seasonal changes on rabbit epigenetics. Under simulated summer conditions, rabbits showed higher gene expression levels and active epigenetic modifications, in contrast to those under simulated winter conditions. The interpretation of the experimental results further illustrates the dual regulatory mechanism of seasonal changes on rabbit epigenetics and behavior. This provides a new perspective for understanding the survival and reproduction of domestic rabbits in the natural environment, and also provides strong support for applied research in related fields. The case studies and experimental results of this study provide new evidence and in-depth understanding of how seasonal changes regulate rabbit epigenetics, providing useful implications for future research. In future research, this study will further deepen the understanding of seasonal changes and the ecological interaction of rabbits. At the same time, combined with the continuous development of molecular biology technology, we will expand the study of the mechanism of epigenetic changes and provide information for the fields of ecology, agriculture and other fields. A more detailed theoretical basis. This contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the adaptability and dynamics of epigenetic regulation in rabbits during seasonal changes.
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