In vitro fertilisation with donor eggs offers a chance to get pregnant for women who do not produce their own gametes. During this procedure eggs from a donor are used and, most frequently, the sperm of the recipient’s partner.
Indications for in vitro fertilisation with donor eggs
In the IVF procedure donor eggs are used when the patient cannot produce gametes, or their quality prevents getting pregnant. Indications for in vitro fertilisation with donor eggs include:
- loss of ovarian function – premature menopause,
- reduced ovarian reserve,
- repeated failed IVF due to a low count of eggs or their poor quality,
- carriage of an inherited genetic defect,
- infertility due to oncological treatment,
- multiple miscarriages.
In vitro fertilisation with donor egg – benefits
For many women in vitro fertilisation with a donor egg is the last chance of getting pregnant. Recipients receive vitrified gametes. Using frozen eggs significantly reduces the waiting time for the patient. Thanks to the quarantine period for the frozen cells, the recipient can be sure that cells infected with viruses or containing genetic defects will not be transferred. Using in vitro fertilisation with a donor egg increases the effectiveness of the procedure by a few dozen percent.
Who can be a donor?
Donors of eggs are healthy women who gave birth to at least one healthy child. Polish law sets very rigorous conditions for the procedure of gamete donation. Therefore, the future patients can be sure that the eggs they receive significantly increase the likelihood of getting pregnant.
The process of in vitro fertilisation with a donor egg
1. Qualification of the recipient
The patient is tested following the regulations of the Polish Ministry of Health. During the qualification visit, a physician provides a health assessment, based on the medical history and analysis of test results. If no method of infertility treatment results in pregnancy, and the condition of the patient’s gametes, or lack of gametes, prevents getting pregnant with the use of her own ova, the patient is qualified for in vitro fertilisation with a donor egg.
2. Choosing an anonymous donor
The donor is chosen based on the phenotype of the recipients. The following factors are considered when selecting the egg donor:
- race,
- body weight,
- eye colouru,
- hair colour,
- hair texture,
- body built, blood type,
- other information in the donor’s profile.
When the donor is approved, she undergoes stimulation of ovulation, and her eggs are collected via a puncture procedure. The obtained eggs are frozen by vitrification.
3. Preparation of the recipient for the procedure
Embryos may be implanted during the patient’s natural cycle, or after hormonal stimulation. The uterine mucosa (endometrium), where the embryo is implanted, is prepared by imitating the natural cycle with estradiol and progesterone supplementation.
4. In vitro fertilisation
At a certain point of the procedure the partner is asked to provide a sperm sample for in vitro fertilisation. The sperm sample is provided by masturbation at the clinic, in a special room. In the Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, the eggs are mixed with the sperm of the patient’s partner. The resulting embryos are placed in the incubator, where the conditions for their development are optimal. The embryo development is monitored for 2 to 5 days.
5. Transfer
Depending on the patient’s medical status and indications, one or two embryos are selected to be transferred. One embryo is given to patients under 35 years of age, or who had a history of successful in vitro procedures. A single embryo eliminates the risk of a multiple pregnancy. In women over 35 years of age, and with a lower likelihood of a successful procedure, the chances of getting pregnant are increased by introducing two embryos into her organism. The procedure consists of inserting the embryo directly into the uterus, using a fine catheter. If more embryos were created during the fertilisation, they are frozen and used later. 11 days after the transfer, the patient takes a pregnancy test that determines the blood beta-hCG level.
Why use the egg donation programme in Gameta?
Gameta is a clinic specialising in treatment of infertility, managing pregnancy and prenatal testing. As we specialise in gynaecology, our clinic is the right choice for the treatment of infertility. What are the benefits of in vitro fertilisation with donor eggs in Gameta Clinic?
- Gameta Clinic has the longest experience with gamete donor programmes in Poland.
- We offer a professional and comprehensive medical care to infertile couples.
- In vitro fertilisation with donor eggs provides very high rates of successful pregnancy.
- We offer psychological support before starting the procedure.
- The eggs are derived from carefully selected, tested, healthy donors aged 18-30 years old.
- The candidates for donors undergo a detailed medical interview, general gynaecological examination, tests for infectious diseases, as well as psychological testing. Moreover, they receive genetic tests (to determine the karyotype, for cystic fibrosis, and fragile X syndrome). The eggs we offer in our clinic are obtained from donors who received more tests than is required by the Polish law or directives of the European Parliament.
| Tests | Poland* | Egg donor programme in Gameta clinic |
|---|---|---|
| Interview and physical examination |  | |
| Psychological consultation |  | |
| Biochemical testsLipid profileLiver and kidney enzyme tests | | |
| Anti-HIV | | |
| Hepatitis B virus (Hbs, anti-Hbc) | | |
| Hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) | | |
| Hepatitis B virus – nucleic acid amplification test | | |
| Hepatitis C virus – nucleic acid amplification test | | |
| Syphilis | | |
| Blood type | | |
| Rh system | | |
| Genetics – karyotype | | |
| Genetics – cystic fibrosis | | |
| Genetics – fragile X syndrome | | |
| Serum protein electrophoresis | | |
PROGRAMME IMPLEMENTED IN GAMETA CLINIC IN ŁÓDŹ