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Donor Eggs

Donor Eggs: The Gift of Life

During the donor egg process, a woman known as an egg donor – typically between the ages of 21 and 30, voluntarily provides a small amount of her eggs (usually 5–20, see more below). Donor eggs are used to help individuals or couples who are unable to conceive with their own eggs or who do not have access to eggs.

 

This pathway, often referred to as donor egg IVF, is one of the most effective reproductive options in modern fertility care.

Who Donor Eggs May Be For

  • Diminished Ovarian Reserve/Advanced Maternal Age
    Individuals with reduced ovarian function or diminished ovarian reserve may turn to donor eggs when their own eggs are insufficient for successful conception.
  • Poor Egg Quality
    Individuals of all ages experiencing poor egg quality, defined by reduced viability or fertilization potential, often consider donor eggs as a reliable solution.
  • Genetic Disorders
    Individuals carrying hereditary genetic disorders may choose donor eggs to prevent the transmission of these conditions to their offspring.
  • Repeated IVF Failures
    Individuals or couples who have undergone multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles with their own eggs may pursue donor eggs to improve the likelihood of pregnancy.
  • Same-Sex Male Couples
    Male couples, where both partners contribute sperm, require donor eggs to create embryos through in vitro fertilization (IVF) for gestational surrogacy.
  • Premature Ovarian Failure
    Women diagnosed with premature ovarian failure – a condition in which the ovaries cease functioning before age 40 – often choose donor eggs to overcome infertility challenges.

How Donor Eggs Are Used

Donor eggs are used in the same way as in traditional IVF. In the embryology laboratory, donor eggs are fertilized (frozen eggs are thawed first) and the resulting embryos are cultured. The embryo(s) are then transferred into the uterus of the intended mother or, when applicable, a gestational carrier.

This process often includes advanced laboratory procedures such as embryo culture, blastocyst development, and optional preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A).

Fresh vs. Frozen Donor Eggs

Choosing between fresh donor eggs and frozen donor eggs depends on personal preferences, clinical circumstances, and long-term reproductive goals. The primary difference lies in the timing of ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval performed for the donor.

Fresh donor eggs involve a direct arrangement between the donor and the intended parents. Eggs are immediately transferred to the recipient(s) upon retrieval, while frozen donor eggs have been previously collected and cryopreserved without a designated recipient. Both pathways offer unique advantages and can be matched appropriately to individual family-building plans.

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Fresh Donor Eggs

Fresh cycles begin with selecting and contracting with a donor. Eggs become available only after surgical retrieval.

In a typical fresh donor egg cycle, intended parents select a donor through an agency and contract directly for all eggs produced during one month (a single ovarian stimulation cycle).
This approach usually yields 14–20 eggs and 6–8 blastocysts (day-5 embryos).
Each blastocyst generally has a 40–50% implantation rate, and PGT-A can increase this to 60–65%.

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Frozen Donor Eggs

Frozen donor eggs come from commercial egg banks and are available for immediate use.

In a frozen donor egg cycle, intended parents select a donor whose eggs were previously retrieved, frozen, and placed in cryostorage. A portion of 4–6 eggs typically generates 1–2 blastocysts, each with a 40–50% implantation rate.
Frozen donor eggs are frequently chosen by individuals or couples planning for a single child, although additional eggs may be acquired to support larger reproductive goals.

Donor Screening

All egg donors undergo an extensive, multi-step screening process that may take several months. This includes:

  • comprehensive medical history
  • detailed family history
  • genetic screening
  • psychological evaluation
  • FDA-regulated tissue screening

Typical donor profiles include women between 21 and 30 years old. Information often includes eye and hair color, race and ethnicity, childhood and adult photos, personal interests, and a personal essay describing their motivation to donate.

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FAQ

How is an egg donor selected in a donor egg IVF program?

Egg donors are paid volunteers typically recruited through fertility clinics or egg donor agencies. During the egg donor screening process, evaluators review factors such as the donor’s age, reproductive history, medical history, genetic background, and psychological assessment. A previous successful donation – meaning a donation that resulted in a pregnancy – is considered a positive prognostic factor, though it is not a requirement.
This rigorous approach helps ensure high-quality outcomes in donor egg IVF cycles.

What are the success rates of IVF with donor eggs?

Success rates depend on several variables, including the age and health of the egg donor, sperm quality, and the recipient’s overall reproductive health. Generally, using donor eggs significantly improves the chance of pregnancy, especially when egg quality is a limiting factor for the intended mother.
Egg donors typically produce blastocysts with implantation potential up to 50% per embryo, even without preimplantation genetic testing (PGT-A). These rates make both fresh and frozen donor eggs reliable options for many intended parents.

How does the child's lack of genetic connection to the recipient impact family dynamics?

Thoughtful communication and counseling can help individuals and couples navigate the emotional aspects of growing a family through donor eggs. Families who have built their families this way consistently emphasize that love, bonding, and attachment are not determined by genetic relatedness. The emotional connection forms naturally and fully, regardless of the genetics involved.

What medical procedures does a recipient undergo when using donor eggs?

Recipients undergo several steps as part of the donor egg IVF process. This includes an initial evaluation of the uterus, often performed with a saline sonogram. The uterus is then prepared for embryo transfer using hormonal medications such as estrogen and progesterone. Finally, the recipient undergoes a simple, gentle embryo transfer procedure (without anesthesia), unless PGT-A testing requires additional timing considerations.
The medical steps are similar whether using fresh donor eggs or frozen donor eggs.

What role does the intended father play in the donor egg process?

The intended father participates fully in the decision-making process, including selecting an egg donor and completing all legal aspects of the egg donor program. The intended father typically provides sperm for fertilization, though in some cases, donor sperm may also be used. His role is integral to the creation of embryos and the overall success of the donor egg IVF pathway.

How is confidentiality maintained in the egg donor program?

Confidentiality is a core principle of the egg donor program. The identities of both donors and recipients are strictly protected. Recipients receive detailed donor profiles – including medical, personal, and family background – but the donors remain anonymous. Donors likewise do not receive identifying information about recipients.
All communication and coordination are managed discreetly by the fertility team to ensure complete privacy throughout the donor egg IVF journey.

What are donor eggs used for?

Donor eggs are fertilized through IVF, cultured into embryos, and transferred to the uterus of the intended parent or gestational carrier.

How many eggs are retrieved in a fresh donor egg cycle?

Fresh cycles typically yield 14–20 eggs and 6–8 blastocysts.

Do frozen donor eggs have good success rates?

A portion of 4–6 frozen eggs generally results in 1–2 blastocysts, each with a 40–50% implantation rate.

Who might benefit from using donor eggs?

Individuals with diminished ovarian reserve, poor egg quality, genetic disorders, repeated IVF failures, premature ovarian failure, or same-sex male couples.

How are egg donors screened?

Donors undergo medical, genetic, psychological, and FDA-regulated tissue screening.

Discover more through our learning hub

frozen egg banks we currently
work with

(new banks continually added, check in with us; list subject to change)

MFC original logo in AI converted to frozen donor egg bank
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