Laureates of the Japan Prize
The 1992 (8th) Japan Prize
Science and Technology for Biological Production
Discovery of method of the cryopreservation of semen and embryos in farm animals
Prof. Ernest John Christopher Polge (UK)
| The Scientific Director of Animal Biotechnology
Cambridge Ltd. 1926-2006 |
| Award Citation |
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Prof. Polge developed a new method for preservation of spermatozoa whereby bull semen in glycerol-containing media with-stood freezing at a very low temperature (-79°C). This has promoted the growth of what has become a new science of cryobiology with practical applications in various spheres in medicine and agriculture. There is no doubt that the largest application has been in the deepfreezing of semen for artificial insemination, particularly in cattle; in which the impact on breeding and livestock improvement has been great. The development of techniques for the preservation of embryos at low temperatures is now being applied in a number of farm animal species. |