What is Egg Donation?
Egg (Oocyte) donation has been practiced since the mid 1980’s. In this process, eggs from another individual are inseminated with sperm of the recipient’s husband in the laboratory (in-vitro fertilization.) Egg donation requires IVF. The donor is very carefully screened for genetic, mental, and infectious diseases. Most egg donations involve anonymous donors, even though BFI also performs known-donor procedures.

Why Egg Donation?
Egg donation is offered in situations where eggs are not available, such as absence of ovaries (surgical or from birth), premature ovarian failure, poor ovarian function, or genetic abnormalities likely to be transmitted through the mother’s eggs to the offspring.

Are there Risks?
Serious medical conditions in the recipient or abnormalities of the recipient’s uterus (e.g. fibroids) contraindicate egg donation. Multiple births are the most common complication in the recipient. Transmission of infection from the donor to the recipient is exceedingly rare if the appropriate screening is performed. The donor is subjected to the same risks as any patient undergoing IVF (bleeding, infection, injury, anesthesia risks, hyperstimulation syndrome) or unplanned pregnancy if the appropriate precautions are not taken during IVF.