Egg Donation

Egg donation is one of the important methods of assisted reproduction and can offer the possibility of pregnancy to women who cannot use their own eggs or have a very low chance of success with them.

This option may be appropriate for women of different ages and with different medical histories. In some cases the ovaries still function, but the number or quality of the eggs is low. In others, ovarian function has declined significantly or the woman has reached menopause.

The decision to use donor eggs is important and can be emotionally complex. It requires clear information, individualised guidance and a realistic approach, without pressure or unrealistic expectations.

When May Egg Donation Be Recommended?

Egg donation may be an option for women who cannot achieve a pregnancy using their own eggs or whose chance of success with their own eggs is very low.

It may be recommended in situations including:

women with very low ovarian reserve,
women producing few or low quality eggs,
women of advanced reproductive age,
women who have gone through menopause,
women whose ovaries no longer function normally,
women who do not have ovaries or have undergone ovarian removal,
women who have undergone anti-cancer therapy which affected the functioning of the ovaries,
women with repeated failed IVF attempts,
women with recurrent miscarriages related to egg quality,
Women with an increased risk of transmission of a serious hereditary disease to the child.

Egg donation is not an easy or standardised decision. It is a treatment option that should be discussed in detail with a fertility specialist so that the woman or couple fully understands the process, likely outcomes, limitations and alternatives.

What Is Egg Donation?

Egg donation is a process in which eggs from a donor are fertilised in the laboratory using the partner’s sperm or, where necessary, donor sperm.

After fertilisation, the resulting embryos are cultured in the embryology laboratory. One or more embryos are then transferred to the recipient’s uterus with the aim of achieving a pregnancy.

The recipient is the woman who will carry the pregnancy. Before treatment, the uterus and endometrium are prepared to create the best possible conditions for embryo transfer.

How to find a Suitable Donor?

Donors are selected with great care and in accordance with the required procedures. Every prospective donor undergoes screening to assess her suitability.

The aim is to achieve the closest possible match between the physical characteristics of the donor and recipient, taking into account the information available and the preferences of the woman or couple within the permitted framework.

The clinic team works with care to identify the most appropriate option for each recipient, providing the maximum possible information allowed, always with respect to anonymity and legislation.

The process is not simply a matter of matching characteristics. It requires responsibility, discretion and sensitive guidance because it concerns a deeply personal decision for the woman or couple.

What Information Can the Recipient Receive About the Donor?

Information provided about the donor is non-identifying. The recipient can therefore receive information about basic characteristics without the donor’s identity being disclosed.

Information that may generally be provided includes:

the age,
the eye color,
hair color,
the body type,
skin tone,
the height,
body mass index,
the educational level,
the profession,
interests or hobbies,
relevant information from the medical history,
any allergies.

Providing this information helps the recipient feel informed and reassured while preserving the donor’s anonymity.

How Does the Process Work?

What Does Treatment Involve?

Treatment with donor eggs involves coordinated preparation of both the donor and the recipient.

The donor receives medication to stimulate the ovaries, similar to an IVF cycle, so that several follicles develop and mature eggs can be collected.

At the same time, the recipient receives treatment to prepare the endometrium so that the uterus is ready to receive the embryo. Preparation is tailored to her medical history, hormone profile and individual needs.

Once the donor’s eggs have been collected, they are fertilised in the laboratory using the partner’s sperm or donor sperm, as appropriate. The resulting embryos are monitored and cultured in the laboratory.

An embryo is then transferred to the recipient’s uterus using a thin catheter. The procedure is brief and does not usually require anaesthesia.

After the embryo transfer, detailed instructions are given and the appropriate time for the pregnancy test is planned.

Is the Treatment Anonymous?

Yes. Egg donation is anonymous. The donor and recipient do not meet, and neither person’s identity is disclosed to the other.

The necessary information about the donor is nevertheless recorded in the clinic’s files in accordance with the required procedures. The recipient may receive non-identifying information that does not disclose the donor’s personal identity.

Anonymity is a central part of the process and protects the privacy of everyone involved.

Is Counselling Available?

Egg donation is more than a medical procedure. The decision may have emotional, ethical, social and legal implications.

Counselling is therefore particularly important. From the first consultation, the woman or couple can discuss in detail every issue or concern they may have.

The discussion may include:

the medical stages of treatment,
chances of success,
the choice and anonymity of the donor,
moral and emotional dimensions,
the legal framework,
alternative treatment options,
realistic expectations from the process.

Support should not be limited to the period before treatment. It is important that the woman or couple has access to guidance during treatment and after the process is complete.

Success Rates with Egg Donation

Egg donation can offer a high chance of success in selected cases, particularly when the main issue concerns the number or quality of the woman’s own eggs.

Success does not depend only on the donor’s age or egg quality. Other important factors include:

the state of the uterus,
endometrial quality,
the quality of the sperm,
Embryological development,
the recipient's medical history,
past miscarriages or failed attempts,
accompanying health problems.

Every case must therefore be assessed individually. Responsible counselling is based not on general promises, but on a careful evaluation of the circumstances of each woman and couple.

Specialist Care from Ioannis Sklavounos

Treatment with donor eggs requires experience, sensitivity and genuine individualisation. It is not simply a technical procedure, but a complete treatment journey requiring clinical precision, compassion and respect for each woman’s personal circumstances.

Preimplantation Obstetrician and Gynaecologist Ioannis Sklavounos has 10 years of specialist training in the United Kingdom and expertise in Reproductive Medicine, Infertility, and Maternal–Fetal Medicine. His many years of training in demanding clinical environments abroad have given him substantial experience in managing complex and challenging infertility cases.

Careful planning is crucial in egg-donation treatment. Dr Sklavounos is personally involved in every case, taking time to investigate, explain and select the most appropriate treatment strategy. His approach is evidence-based, attentive to detail and committed to uncompromising quality of care.

His experience with challenging cases, personal involvement with every couple and high success rates are important features of his clinical career. Equal importance is placed on clear, realistic information: couples receive honest guidance about genuine possibilities, limitations and next steps, without unrealistic expectations.

The goal is for every woman and every couple to feel that they have by their side a doctor who deals essentially, explains clearly, spends time and deals with each case with responsibility, respect and human care.

Ioannis A. Sklavounos MD MSc DFFP
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Specialist Training and Fellowship in the United Kingdom
T.Senior Clinical Fellow – Liverpool Woman’s Hospital UK

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References

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology — Eshre.
Guidelines, Consensus Documents and Recommendations.
Eshre.
Guideline on Ovarian Stimulation for IVF/ICSI
Eshre Working Group.
Good practice recommendations for information provision for those involved in reproductive donation. Human Reproduction Open, 2022.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine — ASRM.
Repetitive Oocyte Donation: A Committee Opinion.
Fertility and Sterility, 2020.
American Society for Reproductive Medicine — ASRM.
Financial Compensation of Oocyte Donors: An Ethics Committee opinion.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority — HFEA.
using donated eggs, sperm or embryos in treatment.
Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority — HFEA.
Egg Donation: A factsheet.
National Authority for Medically Assisted Reproduction — EIAYA.