Keywords: Somatic cell count, electrical conductivity, buffaloes

Somatic cell count (SCC), bacteriological status, California mastitis test (CMT), electrical conductivity(EC) and proportions of somatic cells were detected in 47 Murrah cross breed buffaloes and 188 quarters in order to determine normal, subclinical and clinical mastitis. In clinically normal buffalo milk pH varied from 6.39 to 7.08 with an average of 6.75. Mean pH in udder tissue with subclinical and clinical mastitis was significantly higher (P<0.01) than normal milk. Out of 188 quarter samples tested , 22.34% quarters were having CMT score 1+, 2+ and 3+ resulting mastitis. Inter class score was significantly higher (P<0.05 ) between CMT 1+ and 2+ . Coagulase negative Staphylococcus such as Staphylococcus albus and Staph. epidermidis were predominant organisms responsible for subclinical mastitis infection. However, in clinical mastitis, 36% of coagulase negative Staphylococcus (CNS) and 27% of the Coliforms were isolated. Brucella abortus was also isolated from clinical mastitis cases. Mean SCC of subclinical and clinical mastitis was significantly higher (P<0.01) than normal milk. Mean SCC of normal milk was 183 ±134 x 10³/ml. Prevalence of subclinical mastitis was the highest (43.75%) during the first calving and declining in successive lactation. Clinical mastitis was the highest (27%) on 3rd and 4^th calvings followed by 1^st calving. Predominant cell types from healthy buffalo milk was neutrophil followed by epithelial cells. Neutrophil, monocyte and epithelial cells/ml of milk were significantly higher (P<0.01) in subclinical mastitis than in normal milk. There is negative correlation (r= -0.34 and -0.10.) between somatic cell count and bacterial count in subclinical and clinical mastitis respectively. Variation of EC in normal milk is 2.1 to 5.00.with an average of 3.76 Ms/cm. The variation of the quarter of the same buffalo in normal and subclinical mastitis milk was 0.8 Ms/cm . CMT negative milk had EC of 3.69 Ms/cm. EC was significantly higher (P<0.01) between subclinical and clinical mastitis. Electrical conductivity in the presence of flakes in the milk is significantly higher (P<0.01) than absence of flakes in the milk. There is positive correlation (r = 0.047) between somatic cell count and electrical conductivity of milk.