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Donor Oocyte
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For over two decades now, the option of using donor oocyte (donor egg) in ART procedures has enabled infertile women to conceive and enjoy parenthood. |
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Who benefit from donor oocyte? |
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 Women with ovarian failure.
Women with decreased ovarian reserve (due to advanced age or previous ovarian surgery) and documented poor ovarian response with fertility medication, even in higher dosages.
Women with a history of known genetic disease(s), which may be carried to the offspring.
Women born without ovaries or those having streaky ovaries. |
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How are donor oocytes obtained? |
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The egg donor may be a known or an unknown (anonymous) donor.
A known donor is a woman known to the recipient couple and she is usually a sister of the female partner, or a relative, or a friend of the couple. An anonymous donor is a woman whose identity is not known to the recipient couple. Donors are available through egg donation programs or legal agencies. Sometimes, donor eggs are obtained from IVF procedures, wherein couples with surplus oocytes may agree to donate some of their excess eggs to help other infertile couples. |
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What is the procedure involved in oocyte donation? |
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The oocyte donor should be legally major and below 34 years (preferably below 32 years) of age. Complete evaluation of her medical, surgical, gynaecological conditions is done. Any relevant obstetric history is noted. It is important to take the history of genetic problems. The donor is thoroughly examined (general and gynaecological examination, ultrasound examination for uterus and ovaries) and screened for communicable and sexually transmitted diseases. Hormonal profile and other blood investigations are done. The complete demographic information is noted. The donor is clearly explained about the procedure and the legal issues.
Eligible donors are accordingly explained in detail about the ART cycle and written consents from the egg donor and the recipient couple are taken. The donor is downregulated and controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is planned to get an increased number of good quality oocytes. When the eggs mature, ovulation is triggered with injection HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) and 34-35 hours later, a transvaginal ultrasound-guided-egg retrieval is done under short general anaesthesia. The eggs retrieved are fertilized with sperms obtained from the male partner of the recipient couple by IVF/ICSI technique. Meanwhile, the endometrium (inner lining of the uterus) of the recipient is adequately primed with estrogen and progesterone hormones. The embryos formed (about 3-5 embryos) are introduced into the uterine cavity of the recipient. Any excess embryos are cryopreserved for future attempts. Hormonal support to the recipient is continued till the day of the pregnancy test. If the pregnancy test is positive, the medication is continued through the first trimester. |
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