How are eggs donated?
In order to donate eggs, the donor must go through most of the components of an IVF cycle. The eggs that are collected will be fertilised with the recipient’s partner’s sperm to create embryos. The Reproductive Technology Accreditation Committee (RTAC) of The Fertility Society of Australia guidelines recommend that embryos created through egg donation be quarantined for a 6-month period. The donor is tested for infectious diseases before the cycle and then again at the end of the 6 months. Tests include HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, cytomegalovirus and human lymphotropic virus (a rare cause of cancer of the lymph nodes). Although quarantining embryos is not mandatory, we recommend it for medical reasons. We understand, however, that some patients are willing to accept the risk of infection and will waive the quarantine in order to proceed with an immediate “fresh” transfer. Such a waiver needs to be given in writing.
