Cryobank
Donor Database
Egg donation
Are egg donation and embryo adoption the same thing?
Undergoing donor egg IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) instead of IVF with own eggs is the last resort in treatment using assisted reproductive technologies (ART). It is recommended when a woman or a couple cannot conceive otherwise.
Donor eggs can help such couples where a woman doesn’t produce her own viable eggs due to the age factor or various underlying health conditions.
Donor embryos, on the other hand, represent a treatment strategy primarily intended for single women facing egg quality issues. However, they also serve as a solution in cases of severe combined infertility (female+male factor) — such as when the male partner has azoospermia (a complete absence of viable sperm in the ejaculate). Since donor embryos are created without the partner’s sperm, they involve the fertilization of donor eggs with donor sperm in the clinic’s embryology lab.
Importance of understanding different options
Donor eggs and donor embryos are not the same.
- Fresh donor eggs allow couples to maintain a genetic link to the baby through the partner’s sperm.
Donor embryos provide a different path: same as with conventional child adoption, no genetic connection between the parents and the child exists. However, strong mother-child bonding develops during the pregnancy and after the birth, which is the strongest advantage of this treatment.
Medical procedures
- Comprehensive health screening: ObGyn reports, GP records, mammography, chest X-ray, and Pap smear to ensure pregnancy safety.
- Sperm collection: The male partner provides sperm via freezing or fresh sample on egg retrieval day.
- Embryo creation: Using fresh donor eggs.
- PGT-A testing: Screening for chromosomal abnormalities.
- Endometrial preparation: Conducted under remote supervision.
- Embryo transfer: Scheduled according to the optimal implantation window.
- Post-transfer hCG test: Performed after the patient returns home.
Timeline of treatment
Patients who decide to use fresh donor eggs may expect having an embryo transfer in 3 months. This amount of time encompasses the following:
- Egg donor health check-up,
- Ovarian stimulation,
- Embryo culture and PGT-A testing,
- Endometrium prep.
Source of donated embryos
Donor embryos offered by our clinic are created using NGC-certified donor gametes. When surplus donor eggs remain after retrieval, we fertilize them fresh with sperm from our cryobank. NGC doesn’t offer embryos left after other patients’ IVF procedures.
Who provides the sperm
Only sperm donors (not husbands) can donate sperm. The donor must be medically vetted first, and his sperm must pass the mandatory 6-month quarantine.
How embryos become available
Donor embryos and donor profiles can be viewed on our website. A special section of our website also includes PGT-A tested donor embryos. We welcome visit it if you are in search of your perfect match.
Treatment timeline
Unlike with donor egg IVF, donor embryos are readily available in the clinic’s cryovault. The patient needs to choose a suitable embryo online, as the clinic’s coordinator to book it, pass a pre-embryo transfer health check-up and begin the endometrium preparation.
Key Differences
Genetic considerations
Every medical case is unique, and experiencing fertility struggles is overwhelming. While embryo adoption doesn’t allow for a genetic link between the parent and the baby, it may be the only viable treatment option.
Cost differences
Embryo donation is a more cost-efficient fertility treatment than double donor IVF. You may also choose this option over double donor IVF if you plan to have only 1 child. However, if you are interested in having siblings, going for double donor IVF should be recommended.
Success rates
According to our clinic’s statistics, frozen euploid (PGT-A tested) embryo transfer results in clinical pregnancy in 62% of cases.
Legal aspects
Egg and sperm donation are a recognized part of our country’s legal framework. By signing a contract with the clinic, the donor voluntarily provides their gametes for medical treatment of others, while giving up parental rights or any control over the babies born with their help. The donor’s motivational part is individual.
Individual circumstances
Choosing an egg donor may feel daunting. At NGC, we put you in the center: Our database consists of hundreds of donor profiles. We are sure that you will find the special one among our vetted donors matching your request and your personal circumstances.
Consultation process
- Contact NGC’s team by filling out the inquiry. We will review your case and confirm a treatment strategy
- Talk to the doctor online. Our doctors are available for a meeting each week
- Ask all non-medical questions you have. Our coordinators ensure timely administrative support
