What are fresh donor egg cycles?
A fresh donor egg cycle is an IVF cycle in which an egg donor completes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval specifically for one intended parent or family. Unlike frozen donor eggs, which have already been retrieved and stored, fresh donor eggs are collected after you select and match with your donor.
Following the retrieval, the eggs are fertilized with sperm from the intended parent or a sperm donor. The resulting embryos are monitored in the IVF laboratory and may be biopsied for preimplantation genetic testing, if recommended or desired. Embryos can then be frozen until the intended mother or gestational carrier is ready for an embryo transfer.
“Fresh” describes the eggs at the time they are retrieved and fertilized. It does not necessarily mean that a fresh embryo transfer will take place during the same cycle.
Who may consider a fresh donor egg cycle?
Fresh donor eggs may be an option for intended parents who cannot conceive using their own eggs or have a low likelihood of success with their own eggs. This may include women experiencing diminished ovarian reserve, premature ovarian insufficiency, age-related infertility or certain genetic conditions.
Donor eggs may also be considered after unsuccessful IVF cycles, when previous cycles have produced few eggs or viable embryos, or when treatment has repeatedly resulted in poor embryo development. Fresh donor eggs can also help male couples and single men build their families with the assistance of a gestational carrier.
Some intended parents choose a fresh cycle because they want the opportunity to receive the eggs retrieved from one donor cycle. This can be especially appealing to families hoping to create several embryos or have more than one child using embryos created from the same donor.
Your fertility specialist can help you determine whether donor eggs are medically appropriate and whether a fresh or frozen option is better suited to your family-building plans.
Advantages of fresh donor egg cycles
One of the primary advantages of a fresh cycle is the potential to receive more eggs from a single donor retrieval. Depending on the number of mature eggs retrieved and fertilized, this may provide an opportunity to create multiple embryos for current and future use.
Additional advantages may include:
- The donor completes a cycle specifically for you.
- The eggs do not need to be frozen and thawed before fertilization.
- One retrieval may create embryos for more than one pregnancy.
- Embryos may be frozen for future attempts or future children.
- Intended parents may have greater flexibility when making decisions about fertilization and embryo testing.
Although a larger number of eggs may improve the opportunity to create multiple embryos, no donor cycle can guarantee a particular number of eggs, embryos or future pregnancies.
Disadvantages of fresh donor egg cycles
Fresh cycles generally require more planning and coordination than frozen donor egg cycles. After you select your donor, the donor must complete medical clearance, medication, monitoring and retrieval before the eggs become available.
Other considerations include:
- Fresh cycles typically have a higher upfront cost.
- Treatment can take longer than using eggs that are already frozen.
- The donor may respond differently to medication than expected.
- A cycle could be delayed or canceled for medical or scheduling reasons.
- The number of eggs retrieved and embryos created cannot be guaranteed.
- Intended parents may need to make decisions about storing or using remaining embryos.
For intended parents who want to begin treatment quickly, need a smaller number of eggs or prefer a lower initial cost, frozen donor eggs may be a better fit.
Is a fresh donor egg cycle right for you?
The right choice depends on your medical needs, desired timeline, budget and plans for the size of your family. A fresh donor egg cycle may be especially valuable if you hope to create multiple embryos from one donor and potentially use those embryos for future children.
The Texas Egg Donor team can explain your options, answer your questions and help you find a donor who feels right for your family. Contact us to learn more about fresh donor egg cycles or begin reviewing our available egg donors.