Nutrients for mastitis prevention and control in dairy animals

Mastitis is the major reason for economic loss in dairy farming. The oxidative stress that occur during the pre-partum as well as post-partum period adversely affect health of dairy cows and lead to immune suppression. Therefore maintenance of proper nutrition is an important management practice to prevent mastitis in herd. The importance of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Selenium, Copper and Zinc for maintenance of immunity and health of udder is to be considered while developing a mastitis control programme. Nutritional deficiency leads to metabolic diseases which in turn supresses immune mechanisms.