No, egg donation and embryo donation are not the same. Although they both involve a third-party donor, they refer to two completely different IVF treatments.
The main differences between egg donation and embryo donation are that in the first case, the egg is fertilized in the laboratory for the blastocyst to be obtained and then transferred to the recipient’s uterus, while in the second case, a previously frozen donated embryo that’s already formed is transferred.
In the following post, we’ll explain in more detail what these procedures consist of, and when each option may be recommended.
WHAT IS EGG DONATION?
Egg donation consists of a fertilization procedure using donated eggs. It involves the collection of a healthy female donor’s eggs, which are frozen, and later fertilized in an IVF lab with sperm from either the prospective father or a sperm donor. The resulting embryos are then transferred into the recipient’s uterus.
WHEN IS EGG DONATION RECOMMENDED?
Egg donation may be the recommended treatment if you suffer from:
- Genetic diseases.
- Early menopause.
- Insufficient ovarian reserve or quality.
- Recurrent miscarriages due to poor egg quality.
- Previously unsuccessful IVF treatments due to poor egg quality.
One of the advantages of egg donation treatment is having access to an extense, diverse donor bank. OvobankUS is a leading worldwide donor gamete bank, and, in addition to our extensive pool of donors, we apply rigorous screening protocols after which just one third of the candidates are deemed eligible. The Genetic Compatibility Test (GCT), also known as Genetic Matching, is an innovative technique that allows us to minimize the transmission of genetic diseases to children born from donor eggs. For added reassurance, this compatibility study can be requested between the egg donor and the sperm of the genetic father or donor.
Here you can read the OvobankUS complete guide on Donor Egg IVF treatments.
WHAT IS EMBRYO DONATION?
Embryo donation, or embryo adoption, is a simple treatment that can be carried out thanks to the donation of embryos that other patients didn’t need, having achieved a healthy pregnancy with their IVF treatment.
In an IVF cycle, various embryos are incubated simultaneously, but only one of those that have reached the blastocyst stage is transferred to the patient, while the others are frozen for later use. These surplus embryos can be donated so that other couples can also fulfill their dream of building a family.
WHEN IS EMBRYO DONATION RECOMMENDED?
Couples with genetic incompatibility, or who are experiencing fertility problems, whether due to issues with the man or the woman, may want to consider this option. Similarly, women who wish to become single mums by choice, or same-sex female relationships where there are fertility issues, or if they’re over 40 years old.
Embryo donation provides a cheaper alternative to double donation treatments that require the use of both donor eggs and sperm. Moreover, the procedure tends to have a high success rate, as typically only the best quality embryos are frozen, with the added assurance that these embryos have been donated precisely because another from the same cycle have resulted in the birth of a healthy baby.
Egg and embryo donation are two IVF treatments that offer hope to couples who’ve been struggling with infertility, and provide an alternative option for them to start or grow their family.
It’s important to be well-informed about the different IVF treatments available, so that you can make the best decision for your own particular circumstances. At OvobankUS, we understand that choosing a donor is a very important step, and our friendly support team will be happy to answer all your questions to accompany you on your family-building journey. Don’t hesitate to contact us!