Cryopreservation of farm animal gametes and embryos: recent updates and progress

Abstract

Cryopreservation has undergone tremendous advances and is widely used in animal production based on decades of study of cellular permeability, freezability and empirical generalization. Several improvement are particularly important: the cryopreservation protocol has been continuously refined over the years to achieve greater reproductive performance; cryoprotective agents are more effective and less toxic than previously; there has been significant innovation in advanced cryopreservation systems and carriers. Despite this, there are still problems that urgently require practical solutions, such as remedies for cryodamage and encouraging the use of frozen–thawed porcine sperm in pig production.

Keywords

• vitrification|gametes|embryo|animal production|cryoprotective agent|freezability