Treatments using donated gametes provide invaluable options for individuals and couples facing unique fertility challenges. These advanced treatments - utilising donated eggs, sperm or embryos —offer new pathways to parenthood when other methods may not be viable.
Using egg donation involves individuals or couples using donated eggs to achieve pregnancy.
Individuals or couples may need donor eggs for IVF treatment due to specific medical, genetic, and age-related factors.
Fertilise donor eggs with donor sperm and freeze the resulting embryos for future use.
Fertilise donor eggs with your partner’s sperm and transfer the embryos to the uterus.
Fertilise donor eggs with your partner’s sperm and transfer the embryos to a surrogate mother.
Using sperm donation for IVF allows individuals or couples to achieve pregnancy when the male partner's sperm is not viable or unavailable.
Individuals or couples may need donor sperm for IVF treatment due to specific medical, genetic, and situational factors.
Insemination using sperm from a donor.
Using your own eggs and donor sperm to create and transfer embryos to the uterus.
Fertilise your eggs with donor sperm and freeze the resulting embryos for future use.
Fertilise your eggs with donor sperm and transfer the embryos to a surrogate mother.
Embryo or double donation for IVF uses donated embryos or both donated eggs and sperm to achieve pregnancy.
Individuals or couples may benefit from embryo donation or double donation (using both donor eggs and sperm) due to various medical, genetic, and personal circumstances.
Fertilise donor eggs with your partner’s sperm and freeze the resulting embryos for future use.
Fertilise donor eggs with donor sperm and transfer the resulting embryos to the uterus, or transfer donated embryos directly to the uterus.
Fertilise donor eggs with donor sperm and transfer the resulting embryos to a surrogate, or transfer donated embryos to the surrogate.
Each type of donor has unique advantages and considerations, and the choice depends on individual circumstances, preferences, and medical advice.
These are donors whom the recipient personally knows, such as a friend or family member.
ProsThere may be a closer genetic match if a family-related donor is used, and recipients often feel more at ease knowing the donor.
ConsThis option can lead to complex emotional and legal considerations.
These donors are selected anonymously through a donor bank.
ProsThere are clear boundaries and privacy* for both the donor and the recipient, with a thorough screening and selection process.
ConsThere is no personal relationship with the donor, and information is limited to what's provided in the donor profile such as age, physical characteristics, and medical history.
*In the UK, the law ensures that while donor privacy is protected, there is also transparency for children born from donated gametes who wish to learn more about their genetic origins. Donors remain anonymous to recipients, who only receive non-identifying information about them. However, since 2005, children can access the donor’s identity once they reach adulthood.
Donors provide eggs or sperm that are used immediately for fertilisation without freezing.
ProsPotentially higher success rates due to the immediate use of gametes.
ConsRequires careful timing to sync donor and recipient in treatment cycles, making coordination more complex.
Donors provide eggs or sperm that are frozen and stored for future use.
ProsGreater flexibility in timing and easier coordination. The gametes undergo extensive screening and a quarantine period for safety.
ConsSlightly lower success rates due to the freezing and thawing process, though modern techniques have reduced this difference.
You can find answers to common questions below. Remember, our team is always here to help if you have any further questions.
In the UK, donors undergo extensive screening and a quarantine period before their gametes can be used in fertility treatments. Screening involves checking the donor’s medical and family history, testing for genetic disorders and infectious diseases (such as HIV and hepatitis), and evaluating their overall health and psychological suitability. Donated gametes are then quarantined for at least 180 days, during which the donor undergoes repeat testing to confirm their health and reduce the risk of transmitting infections. This process ensures that the gametes are safe for use in fertility treatments.
