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The Donor Egg Program (DOP) was established in Dallas Texas to
help women who are unable to use their own eggs (oocytes) to achieve
pregnancy. These are typically older women and/or those with ovarian failure.
Egg donation is a form of in vitro fertilization (IVF) using eggs donated from another woman,which are fertilized
by the husband's sperm in our laboratory. The embryos produced are
subsequently transferred to the recipient's uterus.
 Donor egg program admission indications include premature ovarian failure, women with diminished
ovarian reserve, women of advanced reproductive age, women with
poor oocyte quality (sometimes learned from their IVF attempts),
and women who have abnormalities due to their own genetics or
are known carriers of a genetic problem.
Egg and sperm donation are legislated in Texas,
and as a matter of statutory (written) law the recipient/birth
mother is recognized as the legal mother.
Donor egg cycles use the same technology as standard
in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles. The donor undergoes ovulation
induction with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, Gonal-F, Follistim,
Repronex, Bravelle, Menopur, etc.). The eggs are retrieved by
ultrasound-guided aspiration and inseminated with the husband's
sperm in order to produce embryos.
The recipient's and donors cycles must be synchronized by using a combination of hormonal supplements. The embryos are placed in incubators for approximately
3-5 days. Once mature, they are transferred to the recipient's
uterus. The endometrium
must thicken and become more vascular to accept and support the
embryo.
Once pregnant, the recipient is maintained on hormones
throughout the first trimester of the pregnancy. IVF success rates are typically high. In fact, success rates are the same as the donors age group. A 40 year old woman receiving oocytes from a 21 year old will have the success rates of the 21 year old age group.
There are both anonymous and known egg donors in our program. The cycle may be conducted using a known donor, such as a relative or close
friend, whom the recipient couple chooses. Some couples prefer
to know the donor because of the special relationship created.
However, this bond can also complicate the
process, especially if the donor has some future role with the
family. More commonly, couples use anonymous oocyte donors
with whom they do not have a special relationship.
Egg donors are chosen from profiles provided by our coordinator or an agency that
specializes in providing donors. All donors, both anonymous
and known, will provide us with their medical and genetic history
for three generations. They must also pass a physical exam including
a pelvic exam, sonogram, screening for sexually transmitted diseases,
genetic screening, and a urine drug screen. All will undergo psychological evaluation prior to acceptance.
Egg donors (anonymous) are screened by a multitude
of parameters, but in general: (a) they are 21-30 years old, (b)
do not smoke, (c) are involved in a monogamous relationship, (d)
have at least a high school education, (e) preferably have a previous
pregnancy, and (f) are not adopted.
Our donor egg program requires that the wife must be age 47 or younger at the time she
enters the program, have a normal uterine cavity, and be in good
health. All recipient couples are encouraged to undergo psychological
evaluation.
The pregnancy success rates for IVF using donated eggs are
typically higher than routine IVF because the donors are young
women with healthy eggs. The age of the recipient is not a major
determining factor for producing a pregnancy with egg donation,
although obstetrical complications such as gestational diabetes
and hypertension are higher compared to younger
women.
Donor egg pregnancy rates are typically
in the 70-80% range, with expected delivery rates in the 60-70%
range (depending upon the incidence of miscarriage).
Further information about our program is obtained during the initial consultation with one of
our fertility specialists. He/she will review all phases of the process in detail.
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