@phdthesis{Stoetzel, author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia}, title = {Numerical and Discrete Modeling of Reproductive Endocrinological Networks}, abstract = {This thesis deals with the mathematical modeling of endocrinological networks that are underlying the female hormone cycle. These networks consist of a variety of biological mechanisms in different parts of the organism. Their interaction leads to periodic changes of various substances that are necessary for reproduction. In every cycle, hormones are secreted from the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis into the bloodstream, where they distribute and influence several functions in the body. Their most important task in reproduction is to regulate processes in the ovaries, where follicles and corpus luteum develop. These produce steroids that are released into the blood and from therein regulate the processes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. The hormonal cycle is thus a result of a large feedback loop, whose self-regulation is a complex interplay of multiple components. For the modeling of these processes, a high abstraction level is required, which can be realized by various modeling approaches. In this work, some of these approaches are implemented. The first step in all approaches is the representation of the most important mechanisms in a flowchart. In the next step, this can be implemented as a system of ordinary differential equations using Hill functions, as a piecewise defined affine differential equation model, or directly as a purely regulatory model. Using this approach, a differential equation model for the hormonal cycle of cows is developed. This is compared with a more advanced model of the menstrual cycle in humans. Both models are validated by comparing simulations with measured values, and by studying external influences such as drug administration. For the example of the bovine estrous cycle, continuous analysis methods are used to investigate stability, follicular wave patterns, and robustness with respect to parameter perturbations. Furthermore, the model is substantially reduced while preserving the main simulation results. To take a look at alternative modeling approaches, corresponding discrete models are derived, exemplified for the bovine model. For a piecewise affine version of the model, parameter constraints for the continuous model are calculated. Stability is analyzed globally for a purely discrete model. In addition, core discrete models are derived, which retain the dynamic properties of the original model.}, language = {en} } @article{BoerRoeblitzStoetzeletal.2011, author = {Boer, H. Marike T. and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and Veerkamp, Roel F. and Kemp, Bas and Woelders, Henri}, title = {Mechanisms regulating follicle wave patterns in the bovine estrous cycle investigated with a mathematical model}, series = {Journal of Dairy Science}, volume = {94}, journal = {Journal of Dairy Science}, number = {12}, doi = {10.3168/jds.2011-4400}, pages = {5987 -- 6000}, year = {2011}, language = {en} } @article{DeuflhardRoeblitzStoetzel, author = {Deuflhard, Peter and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and St{\"o}tzel, Claudia}, title = {Mathematical Systems Biology at Zuse Institute Berlin (ZIB)}, series = {BioTOPics - Journal of Biotechnology in Berlin-Brandenburg}, volume = {39}, journal = {BioTOPics - Journal of Biotechnology in Berlin-Brandenburg}, language = {en} } @article{StoetzelEhrigBoeretal., author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and Ehrig, Rainald and Boer, H. Marike T. and Pl{\"o}ntzke, Julia and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna}, title = {Exploration of different wave patterns in a model of the bovine estrous cycle by Fourier analysis}, series = {BIOMAT - Proceedings of the 14th International Symposium on Mathematical and Computational Biology, Bedlewo, Poland}, journal = {BIOMAT - Proceedings of the 14th International Symposium on Mathematical and Computational Biology, Bedlewo, Poland}, abstract = {Cows typically have different numbers of follicular waves during their hormonal cycle. Understanding the underlying regulations leads to insights into the reasons for declined fertility, a phenomenon that has been observed during the last decades. We present a systematic approach based on Fourier analysis to examine how parameter changes in a model of the bovine estrous cycle lead to different wave patterns. Even without any biological considerations, this allows to detect the responsible model parameters that control the type of periodicity of the solution, thus supporting experimental planning of animal scientists.}, language = {en} } @misc{StoetzelEhrigBoeretal., author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and Ehrig, Rainald and Boer, H. Marike T. and Pl{\"o}ntzke, Julia and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna}, title = {Exploration of different wave patterns in a model of the bovine estrous cycle by Fourier analysis}, issn = {1438-0064}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-57039}, abstract = {Cows typically have different numbers of follicular waves during their hormonal cycle. Understanding the underlying regulations leads to insights into the reasons for declined fertility, a phenomenon that has been observed during the last decades. We present a systematic approach based on Fourier analysis to examine how parameter changes in a model of the bovine estrous cycle lead to different wave patterns. Even without any biological considerations, this allows to detect the responsible model parameters that control the type of periodicity of the solution, thus supporting experimental planning of animal scientists.}, language = {en} } @misc{StoetzelRoeblitzSiebert, author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and Siebert, Heike}, title = {Complementing ODE-based System Analysis Using Boolean Networks Derived from an Euler-like Transformation}, issn = {1438-0064}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0140954}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-56164}, abstract = {In this paper, we present a systematic transition scheme for a large class of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) into Boolean networks. Our transition scheme can be applied to any system of ODEs whose right hand sides can be written as sums and products of monotone functions. It performs an Euler-like step which uses the signs of the right hand sides to obtain the Boolean update functions for every variable of the corresponding discrete model. The discrete model can, on one hand, be considered as another representation of the biological system or, alternatively, it can be used to further the analysis of the original ODE model. Since the generic transformation method does not guarantee any property conservation, a subsequent validation step is required. Depending on the purpose of the model this step can be based on experimental data or ODE simulations and characteristics. Analysis of the resulting Boolean model, both on its own and in comparison with the ODE model, then allows to investigate system properties not accessible in a purely continuous setting. The method is exemplarily applied to a previously published model of the bovine estrous cycle, which leads to new insights regarding the regulation among the components, and also indicates strongly that the system is tailored to generate stable oscillations.}, language = {en} } @article{StoetzelRoeblitzSiebert, author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna and Siebert, Heike}, title = {Complementing ODE-based System Analysis Using Boolean Networks Derived from an Euler-like Transformation}, series = {PLOS ONE}, journal = {PLOS ONE}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0140954}, language = {en} } @article{BoerApriMolenaaretal.2012, author = {Boer, H. Marike T. and Apri, Mochamad and Molenaar, Jaap and St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and Veerkamp, Roel F. and Woelders, Henri}, title = {Candidate mechanisms underlying atypical progesterone profiles as deduced from parameter perturbations in a mathematical model of the bovine estrous cycle}, series = {Journal of Dairy Science}, volume = {95}, journal = {Journal of Dairy Science}, number = {7}, doi = {10.3168/jds.2011-5241}, pages = {3837 -- 3851}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @article{StoetzelPloentzkeHeuwieseretal.2012, author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and Pl{\"o}ntzke, Julia and Heuwieser, Wolfgang and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna}, title = {Advances in modelling of the bovine estrous cycle: Synchronization with PGF2alpha}, series = {Theriogenology}, volume = {78}, journal = {Theriogenology}, doi = {10.1016/j.theriogenology.2012.04.017}, pages = {1415 -- 1428}, year = {2012}, language = {en} } @misc{StoetzelPloentzkeRoeblitz, author = {St{\"o}tzel, Claudia and Pl{\"o}ntzke, Julia and R{\"o}blitz, Susanna}, title = {Advances in modelling of the bovine estrous cycle: Administration of PGF2alpha}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-12740}, number = {11-17}, abstract = {Our model of the bovine estrous cycle is a set of ordinary differential equations which generates hormone profiles of successive estrous cycles with several follicular waves per cycle. It describes the growth and decay of the follicles and the corpus luteum, as well as the change of the key substances over time. In this work we describe recent improvements of this model, including the introduction of new components, and elimination of time delays. We validate our model by showing that the simulations agree with observations from synchronization studies and with measured progesterone data after a single dose administration of synthetic prostaglandin F2alpha.}, language = {en} }