Abstract
In the present study morphometric, quantitative and histopathological effects associated with mastitis were recorded in
mammary glands of naturally infected buffaloes. The milk samples of 200 buffaloes were subjected to California Mastitis
Test to detect mastitis at Faisalabad abattoir. Mastitis was significantly higher in buffaloes having cylindrical and round
teats, bowl and round udder shape (P<0.0004). Teat diameter was significantly higher while teat and streak canal length was
significantly lower in mastitic buffaloes. The total milk leukocytes and neutrophil (P<0.0001) was significantly higher, while
lymphocytes and macrophages population was significantly (P<0.0001) lower in mastitic buffaloes. Alveolar diameter (short
and long), number of alveoli and alveolar cell population were significantly (P<0.0001) decreased in mastitic buffaloes.
Tissue sections from infected animals indicated marked leukocyte infiltration, atrophy of alveoli, cellular exudates,
connective tissues proliferation and abscesses formation. Histochemically, tissue sections from infected udder showed low
alkaline phosphatase activity and density of protein staining. The results revealed that some udder traits play significant role
to prevent mastitis and mammary function is severely decreased due to altered cellular activity in infected glands.
