When is Egg Donation Recommended?
Egg donation is an increasingly chosen option for couples facing fertility challenges related to the woman’s egg production. This may result from factors such as advanced maternal age, premature ovarian insufficiency due to chemotherapy, or a history of multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles caused by low ovarian response or poor egg quality. In recent years, many couples have turned to donor eggs as a means to achieve pregnancy successfully.
In Greece, egg donation is legal and recognized as a medical procedure for women up to the age of 54. According to the legal framework (Law 3305 | 01/2005), the donor must:
- Be under 35 years old
- Have a normal medical history
- Have a normal clinical examination
Necessary Tests Before Egg Donation
Before donating, the donor must undergo a series of tests, including:
- Ultrasound screening to rule out gynecological issues (fibroids, cysts, polyps, etc.)
- Chromosomal analysis to rule out chromosomal abnormalities
- Cystic fibrosis screening
- Screening for hepatitis, HIV, syphilis, and Rh factor
- Electrophoresis to rule out thalassemia
If the donor is deemed suitable, she undergoes ovarian stimulation with medications similar to a standard IVF protocol to produce an adequate number of eggs. Concurrently, the recipient receives estrogen and progesterone to prepare the uterus for embryo implantation.
The IVF Process Using Donor Eggs
The day you decide to proceed with egg donation:
Your partner will provide a sperm sample at the lab, which is then frozen to be used later when the donor’s eggs are fertilized.
Step 1: Hormonal Stimulation of the Donor
The donor will receive injectable medication containing FSH or HMG to stimulate her ovaries to produce multiple eggs. The treatment lasts 10–12 days.
Step 2: Egg Retrieval
About 36 hours after the last dose of medication, egg retrieval is performed.
Step 3: Fertilization and Embryo Culture
The retrieved eggs are fertilized in the lab using your partner’s sperm (or donor sperm). The resulting embryos are cultured for 3–5 days.
Embryo Selection:
The following day, an embryologist will provide an update on the number of eggs successfully fertilized. The embryos are then carefully monitored, and based on their quantity and quality, we will determine the optimal day for embryo transfer—usually on Day 3 or Day 5. Alternatively, the embryos may be frozen and transferred at a later date that suits your schedule.
More about fertilization techniques:
ICSI (Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection)
ICSI is employed in cases of severely low sperm count. It is particularly useful for azoospermia, where sperm is directly retrieved from the epididymis (PESA), testicle (TESA), or testicular tissue (TESE) using a fine needle.
Additionally, Assisted Hatching may be performed at this stage. This technique involves thinning the embryo’s outer layer to enhance its ability to implant in the uterus.
Step 4: Embryo Transfer
The selected embryo(s) are transferred into the uterus using a thin catheter. This is a simple and painless procedure, similar to a Pap smear, and does not require anesthesia.
What to Expect:
The procedure is painless and quick.
Step 5: Pregnancy Test
Approximately 9–11 days after egg retrieval, a blood test measuring beta-hCG is performed to determine pregnancy. If positive, the test is repeated after two days, followed by an ultrasound two weeks later to confirm embryo development. The detection of a fetal heartbeat marks a successful IVF cycle and the start of your journey toward childbirth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Egg donation is recommended for women experiencing difficulty conceiving naturally due to premature ovarian failure, genetic conditions, or multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles. It is also a valuable option for women over 35 whose fertility has declined with age. Egg donation provides a hopeful and effective reproductive solution for many women seeking to achieve pregnancy.
Egg donors are typically between 21 and 35 years of age, a range associated with optimal egg quality. Donors must be in good health and free from genetic or hereditary conditions that could be transmitted to the child. Comprehensive medical and psychological evaluations are conducted to confirm the donor’s overall well-being and suitability for the donation process. Strict selection criteria are applied to ensure both the safety and success of the egg donation procedure.
Donor selection is governed by each country’s legal and ethical regulations. Donor anonymity is generally protected to safeguard privacy. While some countries limit the recipient’s role in choosing donor characteristics, others—such as Greece—offer greater flexibility, allowing recipients to have more input in selecting specific donor traits.
Success rates with egg donation are generally higher than those of traditional IVF, particularly for older women. This advantage is primarily due to the use of high-quality eggs from young, healthy donors. Key factors influencing success include the donor’s age and health, as well as careful donor-recipient matching to reduce the risk of embryo rejection. Success rates can vary between clinics; at the Hygeia IVF Embryogenesis Unit, state-of-the-art technology and expert care contribute to achieving the highest possible outcomes.
Success rates for frozen and fresh donor eggs are nearly identical. Frozen eggs provide greater flexibility, allowing family planning on your own timeline since they can be stored and used when ready. Both methods are reliable and widely accepted, with the choice depending on the individual needs and circumstances of each woman or couple.