Why egg donor is required for IVF - Dr.Manjunath (IVF expert)

Egg donor IVF is a fertility treatment option for those who can’t use their own eggs, for whatever reason.

While egg donor IVF means the intended mother will not be genetically related to her child, the intended father will be. (Unless a sperm donor is also being used.)

Here are some situations in which egg donor IVF may be required or recommended.

1. Age related infertility (most often for women age 40 or older)
2. A single male with a surrogate
3. Genetic disease risk on female partner’s side
4. Low ovarian reserves (indicated by very high FSH levels or a low antral follicle count)
5. Primary ovarian insufficiency (also known as premature ovarian failure)
6. Post-cancer treatment (if the ovaries or eggs were damaged or removed)
7. Repeated canceled IVF treatment due to poor or low ovarian response
8. Unexplained repeated IVF failure
9. Woman born without her ovaries due to a congenital anomaly

Where to Find an Egg Donor?

Your fertility doctor can discuss with you in detail your options for finding an egg donor. That said, there are a number of common sources.

Generally, eggs are borrowed from healthy women less than 30-35 years of age and who are not suffering from any illness or genetic disorders.

These young women, also called donors, are specially screened for AIDS and Hepatitis. Their family history is taken, to rule out any genetic problems.

The donor can be married or unmarried. However, married donors with children would be preferable, primarily because they will have established their ability to bare children.

Some things potential parents consider include:
- Overall health and wellness of the donor
- Physical appearance