AI is a useful tool to increase captive fecundity, permit reproduction in females that do not have ready access to males and offers more flexibility with genetic management. In order for AI programs to be more feasible on a widespread basis, the collection and preservation of high quality semen must be mastered.

The novel directional freezing technology proposes to not only provide a means to maintain a high percentage of normal sperm parameters that cannot be surpassed by conventional methods, but can also provide a means for cryopreservation when conventional methods fail, as in the Asian elephant.