Breeding aspects of embryo transplantation utilized in the bull dam path within a dual-purpose cattle population

The basic assumptions for applying superovulation and embryo transplantation to breeding plans are discussed.In a model simulation the superovulation—egg transfer technique was applied to elite cows (dams of bulls) in the breeding plan of a 500 000 cow population. The number of sons obtained per elite cow per year was varied from 0.5 (basis) to 10.0.The increase in genetic gain amounted to a maximum of 0.22 percentage units (from 1.51 to 1.73) per year and the extra returns to 44 000 D.Kr. per bull calf recruited, when the only factor allowed to change was the number of sons per elite cow.For all alternatives examined the optimum plan is also shown. In this case the maximum extra returns per bull calf recruited will be about 54 000 D.Kr., that is 10 000 D.Kr. more than in the basic plan.The results indicate that the utilization of a combined superovulation—egg transfer procedure might prove profitable when based on an efficient selection of dams of bulls.