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Integrative Phenotypic and Transcriptomic Dynamics of Hair Follicle Development and Fur Quality in Rex Rabbits
Chengpeng Cao1,2, Jingyi Yang2, Yanlin Wang2
1Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Biotech Breeding, Institute of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Science, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Science, Hangzhou, China.
Animal Genetics
|August 13, 2026
Summary
This study reveals how Rex rabbit fur develops over time, identifying key changes in hair follicles and gene expression. These findings offer insights into the genetic factors influencing fur quality for economic value.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Developmental Biology
- Genomics
Background:
- Rex rabbit fur quality is crucial for economic value, but its age-dependent development and molecular underpinnings are poorly understood.
- Understanding hair follicle dynamics is essential for improving fur production and quality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the age-dependent dynamics of hair follicle development in Yongqing Rex rabbits from 1 to 6 months.
- To identify the molecular drivers of fur quality through integrative analysis of phenotypic, histological, and transcriptomic data.
Main Methods:
- Time-series analysis of Yongqing Rex rabbits (1-6 months old), including phenotypic measurements, histomorphology, and transcriptome sequencing.
- Quantitative analysis of fur thickness, coat density, fiber length, hair diameter, follicle cluster counts, primary and secondary hair follicle density, and melanin granule content.
- Differential gene expression analysis (DEGs) and Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis.
Main Results:
- Fur thickness, coat density, and fiber length showed distinct age-related patterns, with coat density peaking at 6 months.
- Histology revealed a decrease in follicle clusters and fluctuations in primary/secondary hair follicle density, with increased melanin from 1 to 4 months.
- Transcriptomics identified numerous DEGs, with common genes like FOXN1, FGF10, and DCN, and enrichment in keratinization, differentiation, ECM-receptor interaction, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.
Conclusions:
- The study elucidates the complex, dynamic changes in Rex rabbit hair follicle development across multiple biological levels.
- Identified key genes and molecular pathways provide a foundation for understanding and potentially manipulating genetic regulation of fur quality.
- These findings contribute to optimizing breeding strategies and enhancing the economic value of Rex rabbit fur.
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