Sperm cryopreservation has revolutionized the field of assisted reproduction，and it can provide an effective way to preserve valuable genetic resources. This review contained information relating to the cryopreservation of animal semen through a summary of significance research results about domestic and foreign sperm cryopreservation in recent years，and the topics discussed that the effect of semen collection，freezing pretreatment，freezing and thawing methodologies，cryoprotectant selection and methods of its addition and removal on sperm cryopreservation. In addition，this review also focus on evaluation criteria for post-thaw spermatozoa，proposing prospect on anticipation about research orientation of sperm cryopreservation and its application.