Donor Egg IVF
Egg donation is used in an assisted In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) modern procedure and is associated with the highest success rates. A fertile woman is able to donate eggs to an infertile woman during the procedure when all parties agree. A woman who gives eggs is called a donor; a patient who takes them is called a recipient. Sperm will fertilize donated eggs, and the resulting embryos will be thereafter transferred to a recipient’s uterus. The woman, who receives eggs, will not be genetically related to a child, but she will be recorded as a mother.
This technique is similar to a standard IVF procedure; however, in this case, three sides are involved: future mother (recipient), egg donor, future father or sperm donor.
The egg donor is given medications for eggs stimulation. The donor’s eggs are then gently aspirated from the ovaries by placing a needle through the vagina. An embryologist evaluates the removed eggs, after which they can be mixed with sperm. In a few days, the embryo will be ready for transplanting into recipient’s uterus.
Recipient’s uterus also must be prepared for embryo transplantation and synchronized with the donor’s physiological processes. There are several ways of achieving this goal: the choice of a treatment depends on a patient’s age and reproductive ability. If a woman still has regular menstrual cycles, a physician prescribes medications for ovarian function’s suppression. Once a donor starts her course of stimulation, a recipient takes a hormone called estrogen. The synchronization process begins. When the time for egg retrieval comes, a recipient takes progesterone to prepare a uterus for an implantation. In a couple of days after donor eggs fertilization, embryo transfers into the recipient uterine. Hormones continue to be given to the patient until positive pregnancy test record.
Egg donation is a consider option for women who wish to have a child but unable to get pregnant with their own eggs. Below you can find a list of common causes.
- Advanced reproductive age (ARA). Egg or embryo donation is an established standard of practice for the treatment of age-related infertility. Single embryo transfer is the preferred method in ARA women. This is related to the risks during pregnancy and delivery. Recipient women should undergo comprehensive medical testing focused on cardiovascular and metabolic evaluation. Psychosocial observation also must be done to determine if adequate supports are in place to raise a child to adulthood. Women in age over 55 should not be encouraged taking eggs, because of higher risks of pregnancy, even if there are no underlying medical problems.
- A woman in a reproductive age, who doesn’t respond to hormonal stimulation or previous IVF attempts failed
- Primary ovarian insufficiency
- A woman with a serious genetic disorder, who doesn’t want her children to inherit it
In case of egg donation, the recipient undergoes similar routine IVF tests, which include medical history taking from both parents, evaluation of blood type and Rh factor, sexually transmitted diseases testing (e.g., HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, syphilis), and mental health examination.
A physician will also check a recipient’s pelvis and uterus. An individual approach must be used for women over 45 years old.
