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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.
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.
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.
In a number of studies the feeding of pharmacological levels of Zinc to weanling pigs was examined. The publications agree in the fact that the achieved performance increase of the pigs depends on the amount of Zinc as well as on the type of mineral complex used as feed additive. The results are based on measurements of the animals' body weight and the Zinc concentration in the blood within the first two weeks of the experiments. From the measurement values, conclusions are drawn about adequate Zinc doses, but a deeper understanding of the physiological processes that influence the Zinc distribution in the organism is still missing. In this report, we want to close this gap by using a systems biology approach. We present a small mathematical model that describes the organic feedback mechanisms with the help of differential equations. The simulation results not only match with measurement values, but also give insight into non-measurable processes, which will hopefully contribute to animal experiments being organized in a more selective and reduced way.
Bovine fertility is the subject of extensive research in animal sciences, especially because fertility of dairy cows has declined during the last decades. The regulation of estrus is controlled by the complex interplay of various organs and hormones. Mathematical modeling of the bovine estrous cycle could help in understanding the dynamics of this complex biological system. In this paper we present a mathematical model of the bovine estrous cycle that includes the processes of follicle and corpus luteum development and the key hormones that interact to control these processes. Focus in this paper is on development of the model, but also some simulation results are presented, showing that a set of equations and parameters is obtained that describes the system consistent with empirical knowledge. Even though the majority of the mechanisms that are included are only known qualitatively as stimulatory or inhibitory effects, the model surprisingly well features quantitative observations made in reality. This model of the bovine estrous cycle could be used as a basis for more elaborate models with the ability to study effects of external manipulations and genetic differences.
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.