What is Egg Donation?

Egg donation is a method of assisted reproduction in which a woman donates her eggs (oocytes) which are used to help another woman have a baby. Donor eggs may be combined with the male partner's sperm or with donor sperm.

Donor Egg IVF is an appropriate option for women unable to conceive with their own eggs, provided there is no contraindication to carrying a pregnancy. The indications for donor egg IVF are advanced age, diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian failure either unexplained or due to autoimmune disorders, chemotherapy or surgical menopause. Women who carry a genetic mutation will also be appropriate candidates for Donor Egg IVF.

Egg Donation Process

Who are the egg donors?

Egg donation, as per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) guidelines is an anonymous process. The egg donors are young and healthy women, usually having at least one child of their own. They undergo a complete medical and psychological evaluation and are screened for infectious diseases like HIV and Hepatitis. All tests prescribed by the ICMR are performed and guidelines laid down by the ICMR are strictly adhered to. An egg donor is recruited into the program, only after the screening process and legal paperwork is complete.

What does the Donor Egg IVF procedure involve?

A Donor Egg IVF cycle comprises of both, the egg donor's cycle and the recipient's cycle. The egg donor's menstrual cycle is synchronized with the recipient's cycle usually using birth control pills. From day2 of menses, the recipient starts a prescribed dose of estradiol tablets to prepare her uterus and the donor begins her injections for ovarian stimulation. Once the donor's follicles are ready, which usually happens in 11-12 days, her egg retrieval procedure is done under anesthesia using ultrasound guidance. The recipient's partner provides his semen sample on the day of egg retrieval. The gametes are then fertilized in the laboratory. The recipient is started on appropriate luteal support medications. Three to five days later 1 or 2 embryos are transferred into the recipient's uterus under USG guidance. Surplus embryos if any, can be frozen for use in subsequent attempts