In this study, alteration in the follicular fluid composition and luteal function was investigated in the buffalo with endometritis. Genitalia were classified into cytological and purulent endometritis on the basis of polymorphonuclear cell cut off while non-endometritis served as control (n = 10/group). In the follicular phase, the number of surface follicles was counted, diameter of the largest follicle was measured and the follicular fluid was assayed for total protein, cholesterol, malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), oestradiol (E2 ) and progesterone (P4 ). The P4 content of corpus luteum during mid-luteal phase was estimated by radioimmunoassay. Ovaries from the follicular phase of oestrous cycle showed no significant difference in the total number of surface follicles, size of the largest follicle and volume of follicular fluid in the buffaloes with and without endometritis (p > .05). However, the antral fluid of the largest follicle from the genitalia of buffalo with cytological and purulent endometritis showed a significant decrease in the concentration of total protein, cholesterol, TAC and E2 and a significant increase in the concentration of MDA and P4 (p < .05). The results indicated that there is an association between endometritis and decreased ovarian function.

Infertility or sterility due to uterine pathology is one of the major reasons for culling of buffalo in India. Abattoirs serve as a good source of biological samples in order to study different pathological conditions. Major affections of uterus in buffalo include endometritis, metritis, pyometra, hydrometra, mucometra and certain congenital abnormalities. Mostly diagnosis of such cases is based on gross morphological examination observed in abattoir or sometime on clinical and post-mortem examination. Histological based diagnosis of major affections of uterus in buffalo is less and as such very few reports are available especially on hydrometra and mucometra conditions. The present study reports the morphological and histopathological evaluation of cytological and purulent endometritis, hydrometra and mucometra conditions in riverine buffalo.