IVF with egg donation, or egg donation treatment, is an assisted reproduction treatment that makes it possible to achieve pregnancy using eggs from a donor. It may be considered when the chances of achieving pregnancy with a patient’s own eggs are low or when there is a medical circumstance that advises against their use.
The process includes different stages, from donor selection and fertilisation of the eggs in the laboratory to endometrial preparation and embryo transfer.
How does IVF with egg donation work?
Treatment begins with the selection of a compatible donor. Once the eggs have been obtained, they are fertilised in the laboratory with the partner’s sperm or with donor sperm.
The resulting embryos are kept in culture until the most appropriate moment for transfer to the recipient woman’s uterus.
Because donated eggs are used, the recipient does not need to undergo ovarian stimulation or egg retrieval. Her preparation mainly focuses on ensuring that the endometrium has the appropriate conditions to receive the embryo.
How is the egg donor selected?
Selection includes a medical and psychological assessment, a review of personal and family history, and the necessary tests to reduce the risk of transmitting genetic, hereditary or infectious diseases.
The donor is assigned by the medical team, seeking the greatest possible similarity with the recipient in physical characteristics such as eye colour, hair, skin tone or build, while also taking other relevant medical criteria into account.
How long does IVF with egg donation take?
The duration depends on the characteristics of each treatment and the endometrial preparation required.
One of the advantages of egg donation is that much of the follow-up can be organised in a coordinated way. This is especially useful for international patients or for those who live far from Barcelona.
Before starting, the medical team establishes a personalised schedule with the visits and check-ups required in each case.
When can IVF with donor eggs be recommended?
Egg donation may be considered when the chances of achieving pregnancy with the patient’s own eggs are very low, or when there is a circumstance that advises against their use.
The most frequent reasons include:
- Advanced age.
- Low ovarian reserve after repeated IVF failures.
- Poor egg quality.
- Risk of transmitting certain genetic diseases.
The indication for egg donation must be established on an individual basis after assessing each patient’s clinical and reproductive history.
What are the success rates of egg donation?
Egg donation is one of the assisted reproduction treatments with the best results, mainly because the eggs come from donors who have previously undergone a selection and medical assessment process.
Factors that contribute to these results include:
- Donor selection: At Barcelona IVF, candidates undergo an assessment of their physical and psychological health, as well as the necessary medical checks to guarantee the safety of the donation process.
- The age of the donors: This is one of the factors that most influences egg quality. Donors are between 18 and 35 years old and must meet the medical requirements established to participate in the donation programme.
- Genetic compatibility testing: This makes it possible to assess genetic compatibility between the egg donor and the person providing the sperm sample, with the aim of reducing the risk of transmitting certain recessive genetic diseases to offspring.
- Egg quality and embryo development: The selection of young donors and the monitoring of the entire process in the laboratory make it possible to assess the development of the embryos obtained and select the most suitable one for transfer.
However, the chances of pregnancy depend on several factors, and success rates must always be interpreted considering the treatment performed and the characteristics of each case.
At Barcelona IVF, we know that considering egg donation can raise questions both about the treatment itself and about what it means to use eggs from a donor. That is why we support each patient from the first visit, providing clear information about the different options and designing a treatment adapted to her medical situation, reproductive history and needs.
Frequently asked questions
Is egg donation anonymous in Spain?
Yes. Spanish legislation establishes that egg donation is anonymous and confidential. Donor selection is the responsibility of the medical team and is carried out according to medical and phenotypic compatibility criteria.
Does the recipient’s age influence the success of egg donation?
The recipient’s age has much less influence on embryo quality than in IVF with her own eggs, as the eggs come from a young donor. However, there are other factors related to the patient and the treatment that can also influence the chances of pregnancy.
Can egg donation be carried out without a partner?
Yes. In Spain, women over the age of 18 can access assisted reproduction techniques regardless of their marital status or sexual orientation. When there is no male partner, the donor’s eggs can be fertilised with donor sperm.
