Quantitative assessment of udder and teat morphometric traits as determinants of milk yield in Murrah buffaloes

The present study investigated the relationship between udder and teat morphometric characteristics and milk yield in Murrah buffaloes. Forty-five healthy buffaloes were selected and classified into four udder conformations bowl, pendulous, goaty, and globular, while teat shapes were classified as cylindrical, conical, funnel, bottle, or pear. Detailed morphometric measurements, including udder width, height, depths, teat dimensions, and inter-teat distances, were systematically collected from early to mid-lactation, and milk yields were recorded throughout. Globular and bowl-shaped udders had numerically higher total and peak milk outputs than pendulous and goaty udders, however the differences were not statistically significant. Cylindrical teats were associated with the greatest milk production, whereas irregular shapes such as pear or conical yielded less. Positive correlations were established between milk yield and several morphometric parameters, especially udder width and depths, as well as teat lengths, indicating their influence on productive performance. Conversely, greater distances between teats tended to be negatively correlated with milk yield, suggesting that optimal spatial arrangement enhances milking efficiency. These associations varied by udder shape category, emphasizing the importance of balanced mammary development and coordinated teat structure. The study underscores the utility of integrating udder and teat morphometry into breeding and selection programs as a cost-effective means to enhance milk production potential in buffaloes. Selective emphasis on favourable conformation traits, particularly globular or bowl udders and cylindrical teats, alongside key dimensional measurements, offers a practical strategy to achieve improved productivity and udder health in dairy buffalo herds.