Donor Egg

Some women, for a variety of reasons, may not be able to use their own eggs for an in vitro fertilization procedure. In these cases, donated eggs may be an option for the couple. As a recipient of donated oocytes (eggs), the woman must have a uterus, which has a normal uterine cavity.

Candidates for oocyte (egg) donation:

- Premature menopause or low ovarian reserve

- Ovarian response to fertility drugs has been inadequate in the past

- Absence of the ovaries from birth

- Previous chemotherapy

- Previous ovarian surgery

- Carriers of genetic disorders.

Egg donors are women usually between the ages of 21 and 33 years of age, who are carefully screened to confirm good general and reproductive health, genetic history, and psychological stability.

While similar in principle to sperm donation, egg donation is significantly more difficult due to time commitment. Egg donation involves the same steps required for in vitro fertilization.

- Prescreened donors receive daily hormone injections plus ultrasounds and blood work

- They undergo vaginal ultrasound-guided egg retrieval

- Baystate Reproductive Medicine fertilizes the eggs in a laboratory

- Fertilized eggs are then transferred to the uterus of a recipient.

Some couples have a friend or relative who agrees to donate eggs. Others use anonymous donors who are recruited through referrals and advertisements. The anonymous donor does not meet the recipient couple and will not know whether a pregnancy has resulted for the recipient couple.  All donors must be thoroughly screened by the Donor Egg Program.

Donors are compensated financially for their time and effort. The medical care costs related to obtaining the donor's eggs are charged to the recipient couple.