Chapter 1 Historical Background on Gamete and Embryo Cryopreservation

Abstract

This chapter describes the development of the science of cryopreservation of gametes and embryos of various species including human. It attempts to record in brief the main contributions of workers in their attempts to cryopreserve gametes and embryos. The initial difficulties faced and subsequent developments and triumphs leading to present-day state of the art are given in a concise manner. The main players and their contributions are mentioned and the authors' aim is to do justice to them. This work also attempts to ensure that credit is correctly attributed for significant advances in gamete and embryo cryopreservation. In general this chapter has tried to describe the historical development of the science of cryopreservation of gametes and embryos as accurately as possible without bias or partiality.

Cryopreservation Protocols for Genetically Engineered Mice

“…Embryo cryopreservation has a long history and has been successfully accomplished in various mammalian animal species (Ali, Alharbi, & Ali, 2017). However, it was the small and humble mouse that was the first animal species that was truly successfully used in this endeavor at the beginning of the 1970's, ultimately leading the way forward to the development of cryopreservation technology.…”

Cryopreservation of Gametes and Embryos and Their Molecular Changes

“…The cryoprotective properties of glycerol in the same cells were discovered in 1949 by Christopher Polge and Audrey Smith. Subsequently, Polge and Tim Rowson performed the first artificial insemination in cattle in 1952 [ 3 ]. The first successful cryopreservation of human spermatozoa that achieved pregnancies and live births was reported by Sherman and Bunge in 1953; interestedly, they used liquid nitrogen for cold storage [ 4 ].…”

“…Embryo cryopreservation precedes oocyte cryopreservation. In 1971, Whittingham reported the first cryopreservation in mouse embryos [ 11 ] and later, other species were cryopreserved [ 3 ], including cattle [ 12 ], rabbits [ 13 ], rats [ 14 ], horses [ 15 ], and non-human primates [ 16 , 17 ]. The first embryo cryopreservation in humans was achieved in 1983 [ 18 ] and the firsts live births were reported in 1984 [ 19 ].…”