BovCyc

Mathematical modelling of the bovine estrous cycle

Description

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 involved mechanisms is expected to improve insight in the biological processes underlying the bovine estrous cycle, and could thereby help to find causes of declined fertility in dairy cows. We aim at finding parameterization for individual cows, studying genetic differences, and simulating external effects (food, medication, behaviour,...).

Further information is available in the detailed project description.

Members

Susanna Röblitz

Claudia Stötzel

Julia Plöntzke

Responsible

Susanna Röblitz

Partner

Marike Boer, Henri Woelders (Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre, Wageningen UR, NL)

John McNamara (Washington State University)

Wolfgang Heuwieser (FU Berlin)