Some couples may only be able to achieve pregnancy by using eggs or sperm from another person (the donor).
The use of donor eggs is an alternative for older women when their own eggs don’t work well or where ovarian function has ceased prematurely in younger women. This procedure involves using the eggs of a donor after stimulation of the donor’s ovaries. The eggs are fertilised with sperm from the recipient’s male partner and the embryos are transferred to the uterus of the recipient.
Donor sperm is an alternative when the man’s sperm is not capable of fertilization or is not present. Sperm is collected from the donor and prepared for assisted insemination.
A couple may also choose to use donor eggs or sperm if the one partner has a genetic disorder that might be passed on.