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.

Keywords: Assisted reproduction; Cryopreservation; Cryoprotectants; Embryos; Frozen-storage; Gametes; Infertility; Oocytes; Spermatozoa; Vitrification.