Where does fertilization take place in cattle?

Fertilization in cattle occurs in the oviduct, which is also known as the fallopian tube. This is the anatomical site where the sperm meets the egg after ovulation. Upon mating, sperm are deposited in the vagina and travel through the cervix and uterus to reach the oviduct. Once the ovary releases an egg, it moves into the oviduct where it can encounter the sperm. If a sperm successfully penetrates the egg, fertilization occurs here, leading to the formation of a zygote which then undergoes cell division and eventually moves to the uterus for implantation.

The other options represent sites in the reproductive tract but do not serve as the location for fertilization. The uterus is where the fertilized egg implants and develops during gestation; the vagina is a passageway for mating and does not participate in the fertilization process; and the cervix acts as a barrier that regulates the flow of sperm into the uterus, but does not facilitate the fertilization itself. Thus, the oviduct is specifically designed for the meeting of sperm and egg, making it the correct answer.