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Introduction
Donor Conception
Disclaimer: This information is for guidance only and does not replace assessment or diagnosis by a specialist. Always consult a healthcare professional before making decisions.
Remember: Every person is unique; this content is for general guidance. Consult a professional to adapt any recommendation to your individual situation.
What Is Donor Conception?
Donor conception comprises assisted reproduction techniques in which one of the gametes (egg or sperm) or the complete embryo originates from an external donor.
Main modalities include:
• Egg donation: When the recipient does not produce viable eggs or has a diminished ovarian reserve
• Sperm donation: When the male partner has severe infertility factors, or to avoid transmitting serious hereditary conditions
• Embryo donation: Using surplus embryos from other treatment cycles, with informed consent from the original donors
Clinical Significance
Donor conception enables those who cannot use their own genetic material to carry a pregnancy to term. It is indicated in situations such as:
• Diminished ovarian reserve (very low AMH, advanced maternal age, premature ovarian insufficiency)
• Azoospermia or severe male-factor infertility
• Repeated fertilisation or implantation failure in previous in vitro fertilisation (IVF) cycles
• High risk of transmitting serious genetic conditions to offspring
According to the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE, 2023), approximately 10–15 % of assisted reproduction treatments in Europe involve some form of gamete donation.
Types of Donors and Treatment Modalities
Egg Donation
The donor undergoes controlled ovarian stimulation, and eggs are retrieved via ultrasound-guided aspiration. These eggs are fertilised in vitro, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the recipient’s uterus.
Indications
• Advanced maternal age (typically over 40) with diminished egg quality.
• Premature ovarian insufficiency.
• Previous gonadotoxic treatments (e.g. chemotherapy) affecting ovarian reserve.
Sperm Donation
Sperm is obtained from donors who have undergone thorough screening (genetic testing, infectious disease serology, semen analysis). Sperm donation may be used for intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), depending on the clinical protocol.
Indications
• Azoospermia or severe oligozoospermia
• Carriers of serious recessive genetic diseases
• Lesbian couples or single women wishing to conceive
Embryo Donation
Embryos remaining from other treatment cycles are donated with the original donors’ informed consent. These embryos are thawed and transferred directly to the recipient’s uterus. Since the embryo is already formed, no ovarian stimulation is required for that cycle.
Indications
• When both partners or the individual requires donor eggs and donor sperm (for example, combined ovarian failure and severe male-factor infertility)
Reciprocal IVF
Predominantly used by lesbian couples: one partner provides the eggs, which are fertilised with donor sperm, and the resulting embryos are transferred to the other partner’s uterus. This approach allows both individuals to participate—one genetically and the other gestationally.
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