Abstract
Livestock production is of great importance for the economy of most South American countries, a region that accounts for 23.0% of the world cattle population (Food Agriculture Organization - FAO, 2017). Not surprisingly, the embryo industry is historically very active in this region, particularly in Argentina and Brazil. The field of bovine embryo transfer underwent a remarkable change in the past two decades in Brazil, mainly due to in vitro embryo production (IVEP). Total embryo production increased dramatically, along with constant changes in the main features of the embryo industry - from market niches to mass production, from beef to the dairy sector, from zebu to European breeds. Recently, IVEP has also emerged in other South American countries. This review summarizes and describes factors driving the changes in the Brazilian embryo industry and discusses some of the impacts upon other embryo-related technologies.
Highlights
The embryo industry has been very active in South America in the past 20 years, with several countries reporting data on embryo production and transfers to the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS), mainly in cattle and horses
Before 2009 detailed records are only available from Brazil and Argentina
Bovine is the most important species for the South American embryo industry and Brazil is the main player for the development of embryo technologies in this region, considering both the total numbers of embryos and launching novel trends, such as the earlier use of in vitro embryo production (IVEP) in large scale
Summary
The embryo industry has been very active in South America in the past 20 years, with several countries reporting data on embryo production and transfers to the International Embryo Technology Society (IETS), mainly in cattle and horses. Brazilian embryo industry has undergone a dramatic increase between 2002 and 2012 (+642.7, or about 55% per year), primarily due to the commercial use of in vitro embryo production (IVEP; Viana et al, 2017).
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