Trace minerals 1. Selenium: Se supplementation to cows reduces the inci- dence and severity of mastitis due to the actions of certain antioxidant Se-dependent enzymes that prevent both intra- and extra-cellular oxidative damage of the gland. It is not useful though to give large doses of Se without vitamin E, be- cause the effect can be toxic. An Se dose of 16mg/day results in higher levels of mastitis unless vitamin E supplements are administered at the same time. 2. Zinc: Zn maintains skin integrity, thereby protecting the structure of the mammary gland which is an organ derived from the skin. It also plays an important role in the formation of both T and B lymphocytes, which are the major cellular components of the adaptive immune response. With low Zn status, there is an increased incidence of mastitis and in- creased somatic cell counts in milk, which acts as a source of free radicals and hence oxidative stress. The recommended level of Zn supplementation for lactating dairy cows is 40–60mg/kg DM. 3. Copper: Lactating cows were recommended for Cu sup- plementation at 11mg/kg. Copper is considered an important part of the enzyme systems that protect cells from the toxic effects of oxygen metabolites produced during phagocytosis. It also reduces the severity of clinical signs of Escherichia coli mastitis, but the duration of mastitis may remain unaffected.


Vitamins 1. Vitamin A: When cows are supplemented with approxi- mately 70,000 IU/d of vitamin A, positive effects have been seen on neutrophil and lymphocyte functions. Vitamin A is also important in maintaining epithelial tissue health and plays a vital role in mucosal surface integrity and stability. 2. Vitamin C: Although vitamin C is not a required nutrient for dairy cows, some data suggest that vitamin C is related to mastitis; that is, cows suffering from mastitis have lower


concentrations of vitamin C in their milk and plasma. The vi- tamin inhibits lipid peroxidation and acts as one of the im- portant antioxidant defences against oxidative damage. Therefore, the administration of vitamin C to cows by subcu- taneous injection or intra-mammary infusion may have therapeutic value in mastitis. 3. Vitamin E: The best-understood effect of vitamin E on mastitis is that it acts as a lipid-soluble cellular antioxidant and free radical scavenger, protects against lipid peroxidation and reduces the inflammatory response and oxidative stress during mastitis. Most cases of clinical mastitis occur during the first month of lactation and originate in the dry period. Therefore, maintaining an optimal vitamin E level by feeding fresh green forage, not stored forages, is an important factor in dry cow management and improvement of udder health and integrity.


Points to consider Not only can nutrition have a direct impact on immune func- tion and susceptibility to mastitis, but it can indirectly in- crease cow susceptibility to mastitis through its impact on other diseases. Some nutrients can induce one or more meta- bolic diseases when either deficient or in excess in the transi- tion diet. Milk fever, for example, has been shown to slow the closure of the teat sphincter, thereby making the udder more prone to microbial invasion. Cows with milk fever are 8.1 times more likely to have mastitis and 9 times more likely to have coliform mastitis as a result. Mastitis is also associated with ketosis and retained placenta, and fatty infiltration of the liver is slower in clearing E. coli from the mammary gland of the cow. Much of these disease problems can be alleviated through proper nutrition and management strategies which, in turn, help control mastitis.


References are available upon request. ▶DAIRY GLOBAL | Volume 7, No. 5, 2020 23


Nutrition can have significant effects on the immune system thereby affect- ing infection rate and severity of mastitis.


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