The disclosure relates generally to methods and reagents for reducing or shutting down lactation in a non-human mammalian subject. In particular, the disclosure relates to a method of reducing or shutting down lactation in a non-human mammalian subject by administering to the subject by intramammary infusion an agent which activate the OAS2 signalling pathway or induce expression of OAS2. In some examples, the methods and reagents of the disclosure may be useful for the prevention of mastistis in a non-human mammalian subject, such as a dairy cow.
