Egg donation is a method of third-party reproduction within assisted reproductive technology (ART) that allows individuals or couples to achieve pregnancy. This process involves a woman, the egg donor, providing her oocytes—or eggs—to be fertilized by sperm in a laboratory setting. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus of the intended parent or a gestational carrier, completing the donation cycle. This technique provides a path to parenthood for those who cannot produce viable eggs.
Reasons for Utilizing Egg Donation
Egg donation is sought for various medical and biological reasons when individuals cannot use their own eggs to conceive. One common factor is advanced maternal age, as the quality and quantity of oocytes decline significantly after the mid-thirties, leading to diminished ovarian reserve. Another reason is premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), where the ovaries cease to function normally before age 40. This condition results in low estrogen levels and an inability to release eggs.
Donor eggs are also needed when treatment for diseases like cancer, such as chemotherapy or radiation, has damaged reproductive organs. Additionally, couples who carry a genetic disorder, such as Fragile X syndrome or cystic fibrosis, may choose donor eggs to avoid passing on the condition. For same-sex male couples or single men pursuing parenthood, an egg donor is required to create embryos for transfer to a gestational surrogate.
Donor Qualification and Screening Requirements
The selection process for an egg donor is highly regulated to ensure the health of the donor and the quality of the oocytes. Most clinics require donors to be between the ages of 20 and 30, correlating with the highest egg quality and ovarian reserve. Physical health criteria include maintaining a Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 29 and having regular menstrual cycles. Donors must also be non-smokers and free from recreational drug use.
Comprehensive medical and genetic screening includes a review of the donor’s personal and family medical history to identify inheritable diseases. Genetic testing is mandatory, often using an extended panel to screen for carrier status of hundreds of disorders. The donor also undergoes infectious disease testing for conditions like HIV and hepatitis, hormone level evaluations, and a transvaginal ultrasound to assess ovarian health. A psychological evaluation ensures the donor is emotionally prepared and understands the long-term implications of the donation.
The Medical Procedure for Egg Retrieval
The process begins with ovarian stimulation, controlled through daily hormone injections for approximately 8 to 14 days. These medications, which often include follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), prompt the ovaries to mature multiple follicles, rather than the single follicle produced in a natural cycle. The donor’s response is monitored through frequent blood tests and transvaginal ultrasounds to measure developing follicles. This monitoring prevents overstimulation and determines the timing for the next step.
Once the follicles reach a mature size, a final injection, known as the “trigger shot,” is administered, usually human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) or Lupron. This injection is timed precisely 34 to 36 hours before the retrieval procedure, as it triggers the final maturation of the eggs. The egg retrieval itself is a minimally invasive surgical procedure called transvaginal ovarian aspiration, performed under intravenous sedation.
The procedure typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina to visualize the ovaries. A thin, hollow needle is then guided through the vaginal wall into each visible follicle to gently aspirate the fluid containing the mature eggs. Following the retrieval, the donor is monitored in a recovery area for an hour or two before being discharged. Most donors experience mild cramping and bloating and are advised to rest for 24 to 48 hours, with a return to light activity the following day.
Compensation and Legal Frameworks
Egg donors receive financial compensation for their time, effort, and commitment to the medical process. Compensation varies widely based on geographic location, the clinic or agency, and the donor’s experience, often averaging between $5,000 and $15,000 per completed cycle. This payment is typically handled through an escrow account, and it is distinct from the reimbursement of travel or medical expenses incurred during the process.
The legal relationship between the donor and the intended parents is established through a comprehensive, legally binding contract. This agreement outlines the responsibilities of all parties, including payment terms, confidentiality, and the protocol for future contact, which defines the donation as either anonymous or known. Crucially, the legal framework ensures that the egg donor formally relinquishes all parental rights and responsibilities to any resulting child. This contractual waiver establishes the intended parents as the child’s sole legal parents.