Table 1 Summarised composition of the cryopreservation solutions used for described methods

Protocol 1

Slow freezing

1,5 M

–

–

0,5 M

–

Schmidt et al. (2003) [30]

Well-known method established in clinical practise. No commercial media available

Protocol 2

Vitrification protocol (VIT 1)

–

3,6 M^a

2,9 M^a

0,5 M

–

Kagawa et al. (2007) [31]

Only commercially available vitrification medium for ovarian tissue resulted in a live birth to date

Protocol 3

Experimental vitrification protocol (VIT 2 with three variations)

1,5 M

2,5 M

–

1 M

10%

Experimental protocol

Experimental multi-protectoral vitrification protocol which combines four cryoprotectants at lower concentration on comparison with the protocol 2. DMSO was substituted with PG due to the DMSO’s higher cytotoxicity. The entire process of equilibration carried out on ice in purpose to slow down tissue metabolism

2 M

2 M

–

1,5 M

10%

2,5 M

1,5 M

–

1 M

10%