ABSTRACT
Egg transfer techniques have been commercially exploited in cattle to a considerable extent in recent years, far more than in any other species. In 1969, Rowson et al. 1 reported excellent results following the surgical transfer of cow eggs, and this coincided with a boom in the prices paid for European breeds of cattle, “exotic” to the English speaking countries. As a result, commercial egg transfer groups were rapidly established throughout the English speaking world. Although the position was to change very rapidly as the value of these exotic cattle fell, the enthusiasm which had been generated was not to waver, for a reservoir of expertise had been established and research stimulated. In a decade the technique had advanced from being applied only surgically to nonsurgical techniques being available for both egg recovery and transfer.
