Skip to main content

The timeline can be navigated by dragging the pointer on the timeline bar, located at the bottom of the screen on the desktop version and on the left of the screen on mobile. To filter by a specific topic, make a selection on the dropdown “Filters” menu or click “Search” to do a keyword search. To learn more, click “Read More” below.

Read More

Dr. Jerome K. Sherman introduces freezing sperm and creates the world's first cryobank for semen in Iowa City.

Date: 1953

HISS
RHRR
GEN

His method is to preserve the sperm using glycerol, then slow cool the sperm and use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant. He also proves that once the sperm is thawed it is still fertile.

This will lead to the first human live birth using frozen sperm.

By 1963, liquid nitrogen will be introduced as a method of long-term sperm cryopreservation, which will allow the practice to become more widespread. This will lead to the expansion of the reproduction and fertility birthing industry.