In: Bubaline Theriogenology, Purohit G.N. (Ed.). International Veterinary Information Service, Ithaca NY (www.ivis.org), Last updated: 30-Jul-2013; A5724.0713 Genital Tract Affections in the Female Buffalo M.K. Tandle 1 and G. N. Purohit 2 1 Department of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Bidar, Karnataka, India. 2 Department of Veterinary Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. A healthy genital tract is a prerequisite for a buffalo to maintain its ability to reproduce and produce milk. Any abnormality in the tubular genital tract would hinder or lower the passage of gametes and embryos and their establishment in the uterus resulting in lower fertility in buffaloes which inherently have low fertility [1] and which is also largely dictated by environmental and photoperiodic cues. Numerous abattoir surveys of buffalo genitalia have been conducted to investigate macroscopic and microscopic abnormalities [2-9]. A wide variation has been recorded in the incidence of abnormalities found over different geographical locations. These findings are affected by various factors, such as incidence of diseases, amount of veterinary supervision and critical appraisal of abnormalities by the person carrying out the survey [10]. At organized farms, reproductive problems were the biggest cause (38.62%) of culling of Murrah [11] and Bulgarian Murrah (41.0%) buffaloes [12]. Genital affections appear to be an important reason for culling infertile buffaloes. A recent study on abattoir derived genital organs [13] showed the greatest number of affections in the cervix (51.91%) followed by the uterus (29.01%), ovaries and other structures. Two thirds of culled buffaloes had either a single or multiple gross abnormalities and acquired cervical affections were observed to be the most frequent in half of the culled buffaloes. Such studies are suggestive of sequelae of multiple cervical insults / injuries while handling the female genitalia during parturition or artificial insemination. Descriptions on the different affections of the female genital tract of buffaloes have poor clinical orientation and little adaptability because of the ease with which animals can be slaughtered. In recent years, clinical descriptions on the various affections of the bubaline genital passage have been conducted and many more new methodologies of diagnosis and therapy are being adopted. 1. Genital Affections 1.1. Vaginal and Vulvar Affections Vaginal affections include vaginitis and lacerations; congenital problems include imperforate hymen, tissue bands, double vagina and acquired abnormalities include stenosis, retention cysts, uro-vagina and tumors [14,15]. Unusual cases of muco- vagina have been reported [16]. Vulvar affections include vulvitis, granular vulvo-vaginitis and vulvar lacerations [17,18]. The incidence of vulvo-vaginal affections in abattoir studies was 4.9 % [13,15] whereas in clinical studies the incidence of vaginitis was 0.71 % [19]. 1.1.1. Etiology Facultative microorganisms like E. coli, Klebsiella, Micrococcus sp, and Staphylococcus aureus are normal inhabitants of the bubaline vagina [20,21]. The vaginal microflora changes depending upon the stage of reproduction such as estrus, pregnancy and parturition [21,22]. Buffaloes with inactive ovaries show a higher rate of bacterial presence in the vagina [22]. In a recent report, Chlamydia was isolated from vaginal swabs from buffaloes with or without signs of reproductive disease [23]. Vaginitis may also result from the improper use of instruments, wallowing and poor hygiene [9]. The etiology of acquired vaginal problems like retention cysts, fibrous bands and tumors appear to be due to trauma, especially during parturition. Granular vulvo-vaginitis is caused by herpesvirus in the buffalo [24]. Vaginal and vulvar lacerations are frequently encountered during dystocia handling. 1.1.2. Clinical Diagnosis The diagnosis of vaginal and vulvar affections is easy. A vaginoscopic examination (Fig. 1) would reveal inflammatory lesions, tissue bands or growths in the vagina and lesions of the vulva are visible externally. Biopsy specimens of tumors can be obtained from the vagina for histopathology. Uro-vagina can also be visualized. Vaginal / vulvar stenosis can result