DIFFERENCES BETWEEN EGG DONATION AND EMBRYO DONATION 1

WHAT IS EGG DONATION?

In egg donation, a woman donates her egg which is fertilized with the male sperm of in a laboratory dish. The fertilized egg is then implanted into the uterus of the female recipient where it grows to take shape of a foetus.

WHAT IS AN EMBRYO DONATION?

Embryo donation is needed when couples need both sperm and egg for fertilization. Embryos are formed after an egg is fertilized by the sperm. Embryos are donated by couples who have undergone successful in vitro fertilization procedures to have their baby or ones who are just want to help other couples conceive.

WHEN DOES THE NEED OF EGG OR EMBRYO DONATION ARISE?

Egg donations and embryo donations are recommended under different circumstances. You can learn more about these techniques from programs creating awareness of egg donation in Denver.

EGG DONATION IS ADVISED WHEN:

• The female partner lacks ovaries, produces poor quality eggs or none at all. Surgery, chemotherapy treatments for cancer, inheritance or premature menopause may necessitate the need for egg donation.
• Since egg quality declines with age and the chances of genetic mutations increase, women above 40 might use donor eggs to get pregnant.
• If other types of infertility treatments bear no results.
• If there is a risk of an inherited condition resulting in infertility.

EMBRYO DONATION IS ADVISED WHEN:

• Both eggs and sperm of the couple are defective and the couple is unlikely to conceive using their own eggs and sperm.
• There is a risk of transmitting a genetic disorder to the child.
• A single woman who wishes to be a mother but has undergone menopause.
You can learn more about these reasons from programs creating awareness of egg donation in Denver.

DIFFERENCES IN THE PROCEDURES

The process of egg and embryo donation involves different protocols till the last stage of embryo implantation where the two protocols converge.

EMBRYO DONATION: SOURCE OF THE EMBRYOS

IVF often uses multiple embryos to increase the chances of success of the couple undergoing IVF. If the first attempt at pregnancy fails, subsequent attempts may be made using the second or third embryos. Also, embryos may be preserved for up to 10 years if the couple wishes to have another child. However, when there are excess embryos which are not needed by the couple, they can voluntarily donate their embryos to prospective parents who are trying to conceive.

EGG DONATION PROTOCOL

• In egg donation, fertility cycles of both the egg donor and the recipient need to be synchronized by treatments with hormones. The donor needs to start ovulating only when the recipient’s uterus is ready for implantation.
• The donor will be administered fertility drugs to help her produce more than one egg at a time.
• When ready, the doctor will put the donor on sedation anesthetic and will extract the egg from the fallopian tube using a fine, hollow needle. Ultrasound technology will help the doctor locate the egg.
• On the day, the egg is extracted from the donor; the male partner will be required to provide a semen sample. The sperms will then be allowed to fertilize the egg. The fertilized egg will be cultured in the laboratory till it grows into an embryo.

CONVERGENCE OF THE PROTOCOLS

• Embryo donation and egg donation protocols converge at this point where:
• The embryo generated from fertilization or the donor embryo be implanted into the recipient female’s uterus. If implantation is successful, nature will own course and the baby will grow naturally.
• The last step of implantation is the same for both embryo and egg donation. One or more embryos will be transferred to the recipient’s uterus with the help of a catheter. To avoid the risks of multiple pregnancies, laws of certain states minimize the number of transferable embryos to two.