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 - CHAP A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Berg, Mascha A1 - Stötzel, Claudia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - A systems biology approach to bovine fertility and metabolism: Introduction of a glucose insulin model T2 - 15th International Symposium on Mathematical and Computational Biology, Rorkee, India Y1 - 2015 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 - JOUR 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 JF - BIOMAT - Proceedings of the 14th International Symposium on Mathematical and Computational Biology, Bedlewo, Poland 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. Y1 - 2014 ER - TY - THES A1 - Stötzel, Claudia T1 - Numerical and Discrete Modeling of Reproductive Endocrinological Networks N2 - 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. Y1 - 2014 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 - TY - JOUR A1 - Stötzel, Claudia A1 - Röblitz, Susanna A1 - Siebert, Heike T1 - Complementing ODE-based System Analysis Using Boolean Networks Derived from an Euler-like Transformation JF - PLOS ONE Y1 - 2015 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0140954 ER - TY - JOUR 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 JF - Journal of Dairy Science 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 being potassium, is indispensable for the prevention of imbalances. Potassium balance in cows is the result of potassium intake, distribution in the organism, and excretion, and it is closely related to glucose and electrolyte metabolism. In this paper, we present a dynamical model for potassium balance in lactating and nonlactating dairy cows based on ordinary differential equations. Parameter values were obtained from clinical trial data and from the literature. To verify the consistency of the model, we present simulation outcomes for 3 different scenarios: potassium balance in (1) nonlactating cows with varying feed intake, (2) nonlactating cows with varying potassium fraction in the diet, and (3) lactating cows with varying milk production levels. The results give insights into the short- and long-term potassium metabolism, providing an important step toward the understanding of the potassium network, the design of prophylactic feed additives, and possible treatment strategies. Y1 - 2017 U6 - https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-12443 VL - 100 IS - 12 SP - 9799 EP - 9814 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Berg, Mascha A1 - Plöntzke, Julia A1 - Siebert, Heike A1 - Röblitz, Susanna T1 - Modelling Oscillatory Patterns in the Bovine Estrous Cycle with Boolean Delay Equations JF - Bulletin of Mathematical Biology N2 - Boolean delay equations (BDEs), with their relatively simple and intuitive mode of modelling, have been used in many research areas including, for example, climate dynamics and earthquake propagation. Their application to biological systems has been scarce and limited to the molecular level. Here, we derive and present two BDE models. One is directly derived from a previously published ordinary differential equation (ODE) model for the bovine estrous cycle, whereas the second model includes a modification of a particular biological mechanism. We not only compare the simulation results from the BDE models with the trajectories of the ODE model, but also validate the BDE models with two additional numerical experiments. One experiment induces a switch in the oscillatory pattern upon changes in the model parameters, and the other simulates the administration of a hormone that is known to shift the estrous cycle in time. The models presented here are the first BDE models for hormonal oscillators, and the first BDE models for drug administration. Even though automatic parameter estimation still remains challenging, our results support the role of BDEs as a framework for the systematic modelling of complex biological oscillators. Y1 - 2021 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11538-021-00942-z VL - 83 IS - 121 SP - 1 EP - 25 ER -