Differential Effects of Five Rearing Systems on Immune-Related Gene Expression in the Blood and Spleen of Termond White Rabbits

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Improving rabbit welfare through alternative housing systems requires a better understanding of how environmental conditions modulate physiological and immune responses at the molecular level. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of different rearing systems on the expression of genes associated with inflammation, immune regulation, and stress response in Termond White rabbits. METHODS: method, with ACTB and B2M as reference genes. RESULTS: > 0.05). In blood, system-dependent differences were observed for both pro-inflammatory and regulatory genes, with some housing conditions associated with higher expression of inflammatory markers. In the spleen, the response was more selective and gene-specific, suggesting tissue-dependent modulation of immune-related pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Rearing environment influences the expression of immune-related genes in Termond White rabbits; however, these effects appear to be tissue-dependent and vary among specific genes. The observed transcriptional changes suggest potential associations between housing conditions and immune responses, but further studies integrating behavioural, physiological, and protein-level data are required to confirm their relevance for animal welfare assessment.