TY - GEN A1 - Bondouy, Manon A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - Mathematical modeling of follicular development in bovine estrous cycles N2 - Normal follicular growth is a prerequisite for successful fertilization of dairy cows. However, submission rates have been decreasing during the last decades because animals are not ovulating at the planned time of mating or insemination. In this study we use a mathematical model to investigate mechanisms that lead to anestrus. This model is derived by coupling two previously published models: a small model for the development of multiple follicles (Smith et al., 2004), and a large estrous cycle model (St\"otzel et al., 2012). We first investigate the influence of synchronization protocols on the time-shift of ovulation. In a second scenario we simulate an extended period of anestrus as it typically occurs after calving. T3 - ZIB-Report - 12-26 KW - ordinary differential equations KW - systems biology KW - reproduction KW - dairy cows Y1 - 2012 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-15585 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Berg, Mascha A1 - Olany, Amiya A1 - Leonhard-Marek, Sabine A1 - Müller, Kerstin-Elisabeth A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - Modeling potassium balance in dairy cows N2 - Potassium is fundamental for cell functioning including signal transduction, acid-base- and water-metabolism. Since diet of dairy cows is generally rich in potassium, hypokalemia was not in the focus of research for long time. Furthermore, hypokalemia was not frequently diagnosed because blood potassium content is difficult to measure. In recent years, measurement methods have been improved. Nowadays hypokalemia is increasingly diagnosed in cows with disorders such as abomasal displacement, ketosis or down cow syndrome, calling for intensified research on this topic. In this report we describe the development of a basic mechanistic, dynamic model of potassium balance based on ordinary differential and algebraic equations. Parameter values are obtained from data of a clinical trial in which potassium balance and the influence of therapeutic intervention in glucose and electrolyte metabolism on potassium balance in non-lactating dairy cows were studied. The model is formulated at a high abstraction level and includes information and hypotheses from literature. This work represents a first step towards the understanding and design of effective prophylactic feed additives and treatment strategies. T3 - ZIB-Report - 13-09 KW - systems biology KW - differential equations KW - metabolism Y1 - 2013 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-17749 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - THES A1 - Knöchel, Jane T1 - Mathematische Modellierung metabolischer Einflussfaktoren auf den Milchkuhzyklus N2 - In den letzten Jahren ist die reproduktive Leistung von Milchkühen parallel zur steigenden Milchleistung drastisch gesunken. Um die zu Grunde liegenden biologischen Mechanismen besser zu verstehen, wurde in dieser Arbeit eine Modellerweiterung des vorhandenen Modells von Stötzel et al. (2011) um metabolische Einflussfaktoren angestrebt. Hierfür wurde zuerst aus veröffentlichten, experimentell gewonnen Erkenntnissen herausgearbeitet, wie die metabolischen Faktoren auf das periodische Zyklusverfahren der Milchkuh Einfluss nehmen. Daraus wurde ersichtlich, dass Glukose, Insulin und IGF-I die wichtigsten metabolischen Faktoren sind, aber lediglich IGF-I als dynamische Größe in das Modell eingeht. Zur Validierung des erweiterten Modells, wurden im Rahmen dieser Arbeit Szenarien aus der Literatur entwickelt, welche eine negative Energiebilanz oder den Effekt von Diätrestriktionen auf den Milchkuhzyklus simulieren sollten. Ferner wurden Messdaten für IGF, E2 und P4 von Kawashima et al. (2007) und Cerri et al. (2011) bereit gestellt. Das erweiterte Modell umfasst lediglich 8 Parameter mehr als das Ursprungsmodell, wobei gezeigt werden konnte, dass weder die Bedingung für die Lösbarkeit noch die Stabilität in den Anfangswerten eingebüßt wurde. Die Modellkurven konnten mittels des NLSCON erfolgreich an die bereitgestellten Messdaten für IGF, E2 und P4 angepasst werden. Anhand der Ergebnisse aus den Szenarien ließ sich zeigen, dass es teilweise gelingt über die metabolischen Einflussfaktoren eine negative Energiebilanz für unterernährte Kühe darzustellen. Die Rückführung in das periodische Zyklusverhalten verlief jedoch im Vergleich zu in vivo Beobachtungen zu schnell ab. Eine mögliche Erklärung hierfür ist ein zu geringer Einfluss von IGF-I auf das Modell. Darüber hinaus kam es trotz (stark) reduzierter LH-Konzentration zur Ovulation. Auf diesen Erkenntnissen aufbauend könnte in Zukunft die Follikelmodellierung modifiziert oder die Hillfunktion, die die Ovulation darstellt, überarbeitet werden. N2 - During the last few years there has been a drastic decline in the fertility of dairy cows. Therefore the goal of this work is to identify the underlying mechanisms for this problem by extending the model from Stötzel et al. (2011) to include the influence of metabolic factors. For this purpose the influence of the metabolic factors was determined based on published, experimentally obtained findings. The important metabolic factors were glucose, insulin and IGF-I, but only IGF-I was shown to be dynamic over the course of a cycle and therefore implemented into the model. To validate the chosen model extension we developed scenarios from the literature in order to simulate the impact of negative energy balance as well as the effect of diet restrictions on the bovine oestrous cycle. Furthermore we got measurement data from Kawashima et al. (2007) and Cerri et al. (2011) for IGF, E2 and P4. The new model has just 8 parameters more, while maintaining the same solvability and stability in the initial values. It was possible to fit the model with the use of NLSCON to the measurement data for IGF, E2 and P4. In addition the scenarios allowed us to show that the model is able to simulate a negative energy balance in parts. Merely the return into the cyclic behaviour was faster than observed in vivo. One possible explanation would be, that the influence of IGF-I on the model is not strong enough. The model showed a deficit while simulating the scenarios since a marked reduction of the LH concentration still led to ovulation. Thus future research could be done in this direction, where it would probably be necessary to modify the follicle function or the hill function responsible for ovulation. KW - Systembiologie Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-46170 N1 - Diplomarbeit ER - TY - GEN A1 - Omari, Mohamed A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - A pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model for single dose administration of Dexamethasone in dairy cows N2 - We present a mechanistic pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model to simulate the effect of dexamethasone on the glucose metabolism in dairy cows. The coupling of the pharmacokinetic model to the pharmacodynamic model is based on mechanisms underlying homeostasis regulation by dexamethasone. In particular, the coupling takes into account the predominant role of dexamethasone in stimulating glucagon secretion, glycogenolysis and lipolysis and in impairing the sensitivity of cells to insulin. Simulating the effect of a single dose of dexamethasone on the physiological behaviour of the system shows that the adopted mechanisms are able to induce a temporary hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, which captures the observed data in non-lactating cows. In lactating cows, the model simulations show that a single dose of dexamethasone reduces the lipolytic effect, owing to the reduction of glucose uptake by the mammary gland. T3 - ZIB-Report - 19-53 KW - systems biology; modelling; differential equations; metabolism; nutrition; bovine; fertility; reproduction; hormones; follicles; Dexamethasone; PK-PD Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-75043 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Schwieger, Robert A1 - Siebert, Heike A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - Correspondence of Trap Spaces in Different Models of Bioregulatory Networks N2 - Mathematical models for bioregulatory networks can be based on different formalisms, depending on the quality of available data and the research question to be answered. Discrete boolean models can be constructed based on qualitative data, which are frequently available. On the other hand, continuous models in terms of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) can incorporate time-series data and give more detailed insight into the dynamics of the underlying system. A few years ago, a method based on multivariate polynomial interpolation and Hill functions has been developed for an automatic conversion of boolean models to systems of ordinary differential equations. This method is frequently used by modellers in systems biology today, but there are only a few results available about the conservation of mathematical structures and properties across the formalisms. Here, we consider subsets of the phase space where some components stay fixed, called trap spaces, and demonstrate how boolean trap spaces can be linked to invariant sets in the continuous state space. This knowledge is of practical relevance since finding trap spaces in the boolean setting, which is relatively easy, allows for the construction of reduced ODE models. T3 - ZIB-Report - 18-10 KW - dynamical systems KW - trap spaces KW - attractors KW - invariant sets KW - ordinary differential equations KW - Boolean networks Y1 - 2018 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-67121 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Omari, Mohamed A1 - Lange, Alexander A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - A Mathematical Model for the Influence of Glucose-Insulin Dynamics on the Estrous Cycle in Dairy Cows N2 - Nutrition plays a crucial role in regulating reproductive hormones and follicular development in cattle. This is visible particularly during the time of negative energy balance at the onset of milk production after calving. Here, elongated periods of anovulation have been observed, resulting from alterations in luteiniz- ing hormone concentrations, likely caused by lower glucose and insulin concen- trations in the blood. The mechanisms that result in a reduced fertility are not completely understood, although a close relationship to the glucose-insulin metabolism is widely supported. Following this idea, a mathematical model of the hormonal network combining reproductive hormones and hormones that are coupled to the glucose compartments within the body of the cow was developed. The model is built on ordinary differential equations and relies on previously introduced models on the bovine estrous cycle and the glucose-insulin dynam- ics. Necessary modifications and coupling mechanisms are thoroughly discussed. Depending on the composition and the amount of food, in particular the glu- cose content in the dry matter, the model quantifies reproductive hormones and follicular development over time. Simulation results for different nutritional regimes in lactating and non-lactating dairy cows are examined and compared with experimental studies. Regarding its applicability, this work is an early attempt towards developing in silico feeding strategies and may eventually help refining and reducing animal experiments. T3 - ZIB-Report - 19-22 Y1 - 2019 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-73475 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Stötzel, Claudia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna A1 - Siebert, Heike T1 - Complementing ODE-based System Analysis Using Boolean Networks Derived from an Euler-like Transformation N2 - 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. T3 - ZIB-Report - 15-46 Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-56164 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Stötzel, Claudia A1 - Apri, Mochamad A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - A reduced ODE model of the bovine estrous cycle N2 - This work deals with the reduction of a previously developed ODE model for the bovine estrous cycle. After applying a method for exploring the parameter space by Apri et al. (2012), we perform structure-based reduction steps and several system specific adaptations. Overall, the original model consisting of 15 ODEs and 60 parameters is reduced to a model of 10 odes and 38 parameters. The reduced model qualitatively reproduces the state trajectories of the original model. T3 - ZIB-Report - 14-33 Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-51594 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Berg, Mascha A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Leonhard-Marek, Sabine A1 - Müller, Kerstin-Elisabeth A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - A dynamic model to simulate potassium balance in dairy cows. N2 - High performing dairy cows require a particular composition of nutritional ingredients, adapted to their individual requirements and depending on their production status. The optimal dimensioning of minerals in the diet, one of them being potassium, is indispensable for the prevention of imbalances. The potassium balance in cows is the result of potassium intake, distribution in the organism, and excretion, it is closely related with the glucose and electrolyte metabolism. In this paper, we present a dynamical model for the potassium balance in lactating and non-lactating dairy cows based on ordinary differential equations. Parameter values are obtained from clinical trial data and from the literature. To verify the consistency of the model, we present simulation outcomes for three different scenarios: potassium balance in (i) non-lactating cows with varying feed intake, (ii) non-lactating cows with varying potassium fraction in the diet, and (iii) lactating cows with varying milk production levels. The results give insights into the short and long term potassium metabolism, providing an important step towards the understanding of the potassium network, the design of prophylactic feed additives, and possible treatment strategies. T3 - ZIB-Report - 17-47 KW - cow, potassium, model, ode Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-64756 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Lange, Alexander A1 - Schwieger, Robert A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Schäfer, Stefan A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - Follicular competition: the selection of dominant follicles as a synergistic effect N2 - The estrous cycle of mono-ovulatory species such as cows or humans, is known to show two or more waves of follicular growth and decline between two successive ovulations. Within each wave, there is one dominant follicle escorted by subordinate follicles of varying number. Under the surge of the luteinizing hormone a growing dominant follicle ovulates. Rarely the number of ovulating follicles exceeds one. In the biological literature, the change of hormonal concentrations and individually varying numbers of follicular receptors are made responsible for the selection of exactly one dominant follicle, yet a clear cause has not been identified. In this paper, we suggest a synergistic explanation based on competition, formulated by a parsimoniously defined system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) that quantifies the time evolution of multiple follicles and their competitive interaction during one wave. Not discriminating between follicles, growth and decline are given by fixed rates. Competition is introduced via a growth-suppressing term, equally supported by all follicles. We prove that the number of dominant follicles is determined exclusively by the ratio of follicular growth and competition. This number turns out to be independent of the number of subordinate follicles. The asymptotic behavior of the corresponding dynamical system is investigated rigorously, where we demonstrate that the omega-limit set only contains fixed points. When also including follicular decline, our ODEs perfectly resemble ultrasound data of bovine follicles. Implications for the involved but not explicitly modeled hormones are discussed. T3 - ZIB-Report - 17-21 Y1 - 2017 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-63863 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Stötzel, Claudia A1 - Ehrig, Rainald A1 - Boer, H. Marike T. A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - Exploration of different wave patterns in a model of the bovine estrous cycle by Fourier analysis N2 - 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. T3 - ZIB-Report - 16-02 Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-57039 SN - 1438-0064 ER - TY - GEN A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Berg, Mascha A1 - Stötzel, Claudia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - A systems biology approach to bovine fertility and metabolism: Development of a glucose insulin model. N2 - To counteract the antagonistic relationship between milk yield and fertility in dairy cow, a deeper understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms is required. For this purpose, we study physiological networks related to reproduction and metabolism in dairy cows. We interactively develop dynamic, mechanistic models by fitting the models to experimental data and mechanistic knowledge. We have already developed models for potassium balance and hormonal regulation of fertility in the dairy cow, which will briefly be reviewed here. The main focus of this article is a glucose-insulin model currently developed by us. This model links the bovine hormonal cycle and the potassium balance to glucose and thus to energy metabolism. The models can be applied in scientific research, education, experimental planning, drug development and production on farms. T3 - ZIB-Report - 15-51 Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:0297-zib-56453 SN - 1438-0064 ER -