Infertility, commonly known as sterility, has increasingly become one of the major issues of our era. The growing prevalence of this condition may be linked to poor nutrition, rising stress levels, psychological problems, irregular lifestyles, and a weakening genetic structure. Alongside these reasons, unexplained infertility—infertility with no apparent cause—can also be observed in couples. When faced with this problem, couples who wish to have children but cannot often experience significant psychological and social distress. Despite the progress societies have made, couples may still face social pressure for not being able to conceive, which further exacerbates their existing stress.
Today, there are various treatment methods that can help couples achieve parenthood. Depending on the cause of infertility, treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI), IVF, sperm donation, and egg donation have enabled many couples to have children. These methods are also applied in our center, helping couples become parents with high success rates. In addition to these treatments, embryo donation is another method we provide.
What Is Embryo Donation?
An embryo is the earliest form of life created when a sperm cell from the father fertilizes an egg cell from the mother.
Embryo donation involves fertilizing a donor egg with donor sperm in the laboratory and transferring the resulting healthy embryo into the uterus of the intended mother. Alternatively, embryo donation may be carried out via a surrogate.
Before resorting to this treatment, other fertility methods are often attempted depending on the reproductive health of the couple. If the woman and man have viable reproductive cells, treatments such as IUI or IVF may be tried first. In both cases, the couple’s own egg and sperm are required.
However, when pregnancy cannot be achieved despite these methods, options such as sperm donation, egg donation, or embryo donation may be considered.
Egg donation is performed when the woman cannot produce eggs. In this case, an egg from a donor is fertilized with the father’s sperm, and the embryo is transferred to the woman’s uterus. This method is especially used in cases of premature menopause.
Sperm donation is performed when the man cannot produce sperm. In such cases, sperm from a sperm bank that matches the father’s characteristics is used to fertilize the mother’s eggs.
Embryo donation, however, is the method used when both partners are unable to produce viable reproductive cells. In this process, healthy donor sperm and donor eggs are fertilized in the laboratory to form embryos, which are then transferred into the intended mother’s uterus within 3–5 days. This method provides hope for couples who otherwise could never have children.
Who Can Benefit from Embryo Donation?
Embryo donation is offered to couples who require both eggs and sperm. It is also applied to individuals with genetic disorders preventing healthy reproduction, to those with poor-quality gametes, or to single women who wish to become mothers. Women of advanced age who no longer produce eggs may also achieve pregnancy through embryo donation.
It is important to note that under TRNC law, previously frozen and donated embryos from other couples cannot be used. At our clinic, only fresh embryos from selected donor eggs and sperm are used for donation.
How Is Embryo Donation Performed? What Are the Stages?
The process begins with preparing the recipient woman (the one who will carry the baby). The first step is conducting tests.
HSG (hysterosalpingography): This is performed to determine whether the uterus has structural problems such as polyps or fibroids, or adhesions from prior surgeries that may affect pregnancy. If such conditions exist, they are treated before transfer.
Standard tests: These include infectious disease screenings, thyroid function, biochemical and hematological tests.
Medical and psychological evaluation: The recipient’s health and family history are reviewed. If needed, further examinations are carried out to ensure the woman can safely carry a pregnancy.
Next, the donor preparation process begins. Donor selection is crucial and based on physical compatibility (blood type, skin tone, eye color, etc.) with the couple to avoid future social or psychological issues. Donors undergo:
Serological, hematological, and genetic testing
Psychological evaluation (screening for hereditary mental health issues like schizophrenia, personality disorders, paranoia, etc.)
IQ testing, if requested
Educational background screening (at our clinic, donors are at least high school graduates)
Donor Selection Criteria in Embryo Donation
The donor’s age is the most critical factor. At our clinic, we do not use donors over the age of 30. Younger donors increase success rates and lower the risk of hereditary disorders. Donors who already have healthy children are preferred, as this reduces the likelihood of genetic issues.
We also do not accept short donors; all donors are at least 165 cm tall.
Donor education level is another factor considered. Although education is not a direct measure of intelligence, graduating from selective schools can partially reflect cognitive ability.
Frequently Asked Questions About Embryo Donation
What is embryo donation?
Embryo donation is an assisted reproductive treatment in which a donor egg and donor sperm are fertilized in the laboratory to create an embryo. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the uterus of the intended mother.
Who can benefit from embryo donation?
Embryo donation may be suitable for couples who need both donor eggs and donor sperm, individuals with genetic conditions that prevent healthy reproduction, couples with poor-quality reproductive cells, single women who wish to become mothers, or women of advanced age who no longer produce eggs.
When is embryo donation recommended?
Embryo donation may be recommended when both partners are unable to produce viable reproductive cells, when previous IVF treatments have failed, or when using the couple’s own egg and sperm is not medically possible or advisable.
How is embryo donation different from egg donation?
In egg donation, a donor egg is fertilized with sperm from the intended father or selected sperm source. In embryo donation, both the egg and sperm come from donors, and the resulting embryo is transferred to the intended mother.
How is embryo donation different from sperm donation?
In sperm donation, donor sperm is used to fertilize the woman’s own eggs. In embryo donation, both donor sperm and donor eggs are used to create embryos for transfer.
How is embryo donation performed?
The recipient woman is first medically prepared for pregnancy. Donor eggs and donor sperm are selected, fertilized in the laboratory, and the resulting embryos are transferred into the uterus within the appropriate embryo development period, usually around day 3 to day 5.
What tests are required before embryo donation?
Before embryo donation, the recipient woman may undergo HSG, ultrasound examination, infectious disease screening, thyroid tests, biochemical and hematological tests, and a general medical and psychological evaluation to confirm that pregnancy is safe and suitable.
Why is HSG performed before embryo donation?
HSG, or hysterosalpingography, helps evaluate the uterine cavity and detect possible problems such as polyps, fibroids, adhesions, or structural abnormalities that may affect embryo implantation or pregnancy.
How are donors selected for embryo donation?
Donors are selected according to medical suitability, age, physical compatibility, blood type, skin tone, eye color, genetic screening results, infectious disease testing, psychological evaluation, and clinic-specific donor selection criteria.
Are embryo donation donors screened?
Yes. Donors undergo detailed serological, hematological, genetic, gynecological, and psychological evaluations. This screening helps select healthy and suitable donors for treatment.
Is donor identity confidential in embryo donation?
Yes. Donor identity is kept confidential. The recipient may receive non-identifying donor information such as physical characteristics, blood type, educational background, and medical screening results, depending on clinic policy and legal regulations.
Are frozen donated embryos used in embryo donation?
In the TRNC, previously frozen embryos donated by other couples cannot be used. At the clinic, embryo donation is performed using fresh embryos created from selected donor eggs and donor sperm.
Can single women have embryo donation treatment?
Yes. Embryo donation may be an option for single women who wish to become mothers, depending on medical suitability and the legal regulations of the country where treatment is performed.
Can women of advanced age become pregnant with embryo donation?
Yes. Women of advanced age who no longer produce eggs may still achieve pregnancy through embryo donation if their uterus is healthy and they are medically suitable to carry a pregnancy.
Does embryo donation guarantee pregnancy?
No. Embryo donation does not guarantee pregnancy. Success depends on embryo quality, uterine health, the recipient’s general health, laboratory conditions, donor quality, and the treatment plan.
Is pregnancy after embryo donation different from natural pregnancy?
Once pregnancy occurs, its development and follow-up are generally similar to other pregnancies. The intended mother carries the pregnancy and gives birth to the baby.
Why is donor age important in embryo donation?
Donor age is important because younger donors generally have better egg quality, which may improve embryo development and pregnancy success rates. It may also help reduce some age-related reproductive risks.
What factors are considered in donor matching?
Donor matching may include blood type, physical appearance, ethnicity, skin tone, eye color, height, education level, medical background, genetic screening, and psychological evaluation.
Can embryo donation help after repeated IVF failures?
Yes. Embryo donation may be considered after repeated IVF failures, especially when both egg and sperm quality are not suitable for successful embryo development.
What should patients consider before embryo donation?
Patients should understand the medical process, donor selection, confidentiality rules, legal regulations, consent forms, possible emotional aspects, success rates, and pregnancy-related risks before starting embryo donation treatment.
