Cryopreservation in human reproductive medicine

Infertility and low birth rates have been threatening developed countries and have become a major socioeconomic problem that requires attention. To this end, germplasm preservation and subsequent fertility restoration with the aid of various assisted reproductive technologies (ART) have overcome many infertility issues over the last four decades. Particularly, cryopreservation offered various fertility preservation (FP) options for people with reproductive issues, gender dysphoria, and significantly expanded reproductive lifespan. The aim of this review is to provide the reader with the role that cryopreservation has played in human reproductive medicine (HRM) and family planning. We will first discuss the fundamentals of cryopreservation, including the development of cryopreservation methodologies for human reproductive cells and tissues, and how these techniques have helped address human infertility problems, as well as other ethical, legal, and social challenges. We will focus on literature regarding the current methodologies used in human infertility laboratories' clinical setting of the oocyte, sperm, and embryo, gonad cryopreservation, and discuss the latest issues related to the implementation of cryopreservation strategies used in HRM.