Changes in (A) NF-κB, (B) iNOS, (C) COX-2, and (D) PTGES mRNA expression levels in spleens of laying hens in the CC and FC groups before transportation (BT), immediately after transportation (0 h), and at 48 h after transportation (48 h). Lowercase letters “a, b, c” indicate significant differences (P < 0.05), and the same or non-standard means no significant differences (P > 0.05). Abbreviations: CC, conventional cage; COX-2, cyclooxygenase -2; FC, furnished cage; iNOS, inducible nitric oxide synthase; NF-κB, nuclear transcription factor-kappa B; PTGES, prostaglandin E synthase.