A systems biology approach to bovine fertility and metabolism: Introduction of a glucose insulin model

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.