  We adopt a field theoretical approach to study the structure and
thermodynamics of a homogeneous Maier-Saupe nematogenic fluid interacting with
anisotropic Yukawa potential. In the mean field approximation we retrieve the
standard Maier-Saupe theory for liquid crystals. In this theory the density is
expressed via the second order Legendre polynomial of molecule orientations. In
the Gaussian approximation we obtain analytical expressions for the correlation
functions, the elasticity constant, the free energy, the pressure, and the
chemical potential. We also use Ward symmetry identities to set a simple
condition for the correlation functions. Subsequently we find corrections due
to fluctuations and show that density now contains Legendre polynomials of
higher orders.
