Table 2.

Summary of 3-D culture studies with follicles from human, primate and large domestic animal species

Author	Year	System Description	Species	Culture Period	Initial Follicle Diameter	Final Diameter	Survival Rate	Antrum Formation	Observations/Conclusions
Amorim et al. [72]	2009	Alginate (ALG)1%	Human	7 days	34-52 μm	44--70 μm	90%	NA	Alginate culture system supported growth of Isolated follicles from frozen-thawed ovary
Xu et al. [67]	2009	Alginate 0.5% Matrigel embedded	Human	30 days	~175 μm	715 μm	NA	75%	Both 3-D systems supported growth of isolated human follicles
Xu et al. [48]	2009	Alginate (ALG) 0.25% versus 0.5%	Rhesus monkey	30 days	100-300 μm	20 vs 78%	60 vs 78%	Yes	Higher ALG better survival and growth. LH addition with FSH negative effect on survival and P4 secretion
Itoh et al. [104]	2002	Collagen gel	Cow	13 days	145-170 μm	304 μm	NA	Yes	Serum-free culture. Insulin, FSH and LH together induced earlier antrum formation
Abir et al. [51]	2001	Collagen gel	Human	24 hours	35-45 μm	70 μm	NA	NA	Collagen matrix supported growth of fully isolated follicles but not tissue slice with partially isolated follicles
Hovatta et al. [49]	1999	In situ and partially isolated follicles Millicell + Matrigel	Human	~28 days total	NA	NA	NA	No	Tissue slices better less oocyte extrusion than collagenese isolated. Four weeks to reach secondary stage
Yamamoto et al. [105]	1999	Collagen gel	Cow	14 days	500-700 μm	NA	37%	Yes	MII 27%, 42% fertilization, 4% blastocyst One live birth.
Hiraoi et al. [106]	1994	Collagen gel	Pig	16 days	220-300 μm	NA	NA	Yes	40% MII formation in oocytes ≥110 μm No MII from oocytes <110 μm. Oocytes capable of being fertilized
Roy and Treacy [107]	1993	Agar	Human	5 days	90-220 μm	NA	NA	Yes	FSH induced antrum formation, hormone secretion. No FSH, no E2 secretion