Dynamic model of the lactating dairy cow metabolism

The whole-animal model described in this paper is intended to be a research model with an intermediary structure between sophisticated and simple cow models. The mechanistic model structure integrates the main metabolic pathways of the lactating dairy cow. Milk yield and related feed intake for varying production potentials were considered to be the driving forces and were empirically defined. The model was designed to explain the main metabolic flows and variations in body reserves associated with the push of nutrients from dry matter intake and their pull by the mammary gland to synthesise milk components throughout lactation. The digestive part of the model uses either known feed unit systems (e.g. PDI system for protein) or published empirical equations for the prediction of digestive flows of organic matter, starch and fatty acids and ruminal volatile fatty acid production. The metabolic sub-system is made up of four tissue compartments (body protein, body lipid, protein in the uterus and triglycerides in the liver) and five circulating metabolites (glucose, amino acids, acetate + butyrate, propionate, and triglycerides and non-esterified fatty acids). A major original aspect of the model is its homeorhetic control system. It was assumed that flows relating to adipose and protein tissue anabolism and catabolism were driven by a couple of linked theoretical hormones controlling mobilisation and anabolism. The evolution in body composition and body weight were outcomes of this control. Another originality of the model is its suitability for milk yields varying from 10 to 50 kg at peak production. This was achieved by homeorhetic control of milk potential acting on several key metabolic flows. Homeostatic regulation was also introduced in order to confine the behaviour of the model within realistic physiological values. For some basic aspects (e.g. Uterine involution, standard kinetics of body protein and fat), it was necessary to build specific databases from the literature and interpret these by meta-analysis. Fairly realistic simulated kinetics were obtained for body composition, liver triglycerides, blood plasma metabolite concentrations, milk protein and fat contents, and also for major groups of milk fatty acids.