Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2018) 7(7): 188-192 188 Review Article https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2018.707.023 An Update on B Vitamin Nutrition for Cattle K. Ashwin 1* , Varsha Paladan 2 , Sandeep Uniyal 1 , Jatin Kumar Sahoo 1 , Shahla Perween 1 , Mokshata Gupta 1 and Asmita Singh 1 1 Animal Nutrition Division, 2 Veterinary Bacteriology Division, ICAR- Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, UP, India *Corresponding author ABSTRACT Introduction B complex vitamins perform a variety of functions in the body. In ruminants, supplementation of B vitamin is largely debated owing to the general misconception that they are produced in sufficient quantity within the rumen by rumen microbes (Bechdel et al., 1928). The major source of vitamins in dairy cattle is green roughages (Schwab et al., 2006). In the present scenario, there is an acute shortage for high-quality green roughages, especially in the tropics. The major aim of the dairy industry nowadays is to boost milk production. Higher milk production is always associated with higher vitamin requirements as it is utilized for higher metabolism and milk production. This situation produces vitamin deficit in cattle, which often go unnoticed due to lack of visible clinical symptoms. The present review underlines the need to revisit the fundamental concept of vitamin nutrition in dairy cows. Rumen microbes require specific vitamins Baldwin and Allison (1983) reported that all cellulolytic organisms in the rumen hadobligate requirement for biotin. Biotin also improved propionate production by bacteria and thereby glucose availability for the ruminant. In addition, the growth of International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 7 Number 07 (2018) Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas.com B vitamin supplementation in ruminants is ignored conventionally following an earlier observation that they are synthesized in adequate quantities in the rumen by rumen microbes. Recent researchers reported that major cellulolytic organisms in the rumen had specific requirements for certain B vitamins. Apart from the requirements of the rumen microbes, high producing cattle also require a higher amount of vitamins to maintain their productivity and health. Sub-clinical vitamin deficiencies often go unnoticed due to the lack of proper clinical symptoms. The present review aimed at providing an update on B vitamin nutrition to cattle. Keywords health, Ketosis, Laminitis, Microbial fermentation, Milk, Rumen, Stress Accepted: 04 June 2018 Available Online: 10 July 2018 Article Info