The nuclear morphology and subsequent meiotic development of buffalo oocytes was compared relative to follicle size before and after in vitro maturation (IVM). Follicles were dissected from ovaries of adult buffaloes at slaughter. Isolated follicles were classified according to size (<2, 2 to 3, 3 to 4, 4 to 6 mm and >6 mm in diameter) and cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected by puncturing the follicles. Cumulus cells were emoved using 3 mg/mI hyaluronidase in saline and repeated pipetting. Denuded oocytes were measured, fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde, stained with DAPI and evaluated for nuclear morphology under fluorescent microscopy. COCs were also matured for 24 hours in . itro in medium 199 (M-199) supplemented with 10 g/unl FSH, 10 ug/ml LH, 1.5 ug/ml estradiol, 75ug/ml streptomycin, 100 lU/mi penicillin, 10 mM hepes and 10% fetal calf serum. Matured oocytes were fixed, stained and evaluated as above for nuclear morphology, namely stage of germinal vesicle (GV) and subsequent melotic development (oocyte reaching metaphase-Il). Data for oocyte diameter wa analyzed by ANOVA while, chi square analysis was used for comparison of GV stages and ineiotic development of oocytes. Oocytes from follicles of <2mm, 2-3mm, 3-4mm were smaller (P < 0.05) in diameter than oocytes from >4 mm follicle size groups. The ma.ioity of the oocytes (P<0.05) from <2mm follicles were at GV stage I (24.0%) and 11(20.4%). An increasing trend towards development to later GV stages was observed with an increase in follicle size beyond 2 mm before IVM. Oocytes from 4 to 6 mm follicles were at GV stage IV (35.0%) and V\ (49.1%). Poor IVM rates (30.2 to 32.7%) to metaphase-Il were\ observed for oocytes from <4mm follicles (P<0.05). However, for oocytes from 4 to 6 mm follicles, maturation to metaphase-Il was (67.1%). Buffalo oocytes from > 6mm follicles showed better maturation rate (79.1%). These results indicated that maturation to M-II for oocytes depends on the stage of G' development of the buffalo oocyte before IVM. Oocytes harvested from <4mm follicles showed poor in vitro maturation rates. In conclusion, oocytes from >4 mm follicle in diameter can be successfully used for better in vitro maturation rates in buffalo JVF protocols.