Oocyte donation or Egg donation is an assisted reproduction treatment, where a woman can donate her eggs to another woman, helping her realize her dream of experiencing motherhood. The donated eggs evolve with the help of vitro fertilization technology. Hence, the fertilization of the eggs takes place in the laboratory and the unfertilized eggs can be stored for later use in our Apollo fertility Clinics.
The reasons to opt for oocyte donation are many and the most common reason being, infertility. When the female partner’s eggs cannot achieve a successful pregnancy or when it generates pregnancy, but the chances are low, then even going for an IVF with her own eggs becomes difficult.
Also, today women are career oriented and they want a baby only in the later stages of life. But, after 40, the number of eggs in the ovaries becomes less in number and the quality deteriorates. And, in such cases, the infertility treatments might also fail. Therefore, egg donation becomes a feasible option. The oldest woman to conceive with this procedure is a 69-year-old lady, residing in Italy.
Types of Donors
• In some countries, the egg donors are unrelated to the patients. They do it for financial support mostly. However, the patient can also choose their own donor among their friends or relatives.
• In India, one can opt for anonymous donors, semi-anonymous or even meet them. This depends on both the recipient and the donor.
Who Is It for?
• Older women or menopausal women.
• Couples who are unable to adopt.
• Even after going through IVF or ICSI, if the woman is unable to conceive, she can still opt for egg donation.
• Women who have failed ovaries or have gone through radiation or chemotherapy, oocyte donation is the best option.
• If a woman is carrying a chromosomal defect, she can opt for this procedure to avoid passing the genetic condition to her children.
• If the patient has suffered from tuberculosis or endometriosis, the quality of the eggs might not be top-notch, hence, egg donation becomes a viable option.
Screening the Donors
Most often, the eggs are borrowed from women between the ages of 30-35. These women are not only healthy but are made sure to be devoid of any illness or genetic disorders. At Apollo fertility, we are very careful and always go for a strict screening. Also, we test the women for AIDS and Hepatitis. The marital status of the donor is not necessary. However, a donor who has already conceived is preferred because it confirms her ability to bear children.
Procedure
• The cycles of the recipient and the donor should sync. Once it happens, the fresh embryo is transferred.
• To make sure the cycles are synchronized, the doctor might prescribe medications.
• During the procedure, the donor is injected in order to produce many eggs.
• Once the eggs become ripe, she is given local anesthesia to ensure the transfer.
• The eggs are removed from the vagina, without any surgery.
• These eggs are then fertilized with the male partner’s sperm in a laboratory. This can be done through IVF or ICSI.
• The fertilized eggs are kept in an incubator for two days to form a four-celled embryo. On the third day it forms an eight-celled embryo and after five days, you get a multi-celled blastocyst. The eggs can be transferred inside the womb on any of these days.
