What is a donor programme and when does one opt for it?
* Donor Egg: Donor egg is an option for couples whose eggs will no longer fertilize and produce healthy embryos. Egg quality generally declines with advancing female age but it can occur at any age. Ovarian reserve is a measure of “egg quality” and is evaluated during the infertility workup. The in vitro success rates for women in their early forties using their own eggs are dismally low. When donor eggs are utilized, success rates are dramatically improved and match those of the age group to which the donor belongs. In other words, a forty year old receiving eggs from a twenty year old will usually have IVF success rates for the twenty year old age group. Other candidates for donor egg include women who may have been born with absent ovaries (rare) or those whose ovaries were damaged by cancer chemotherapy or radiation. Donor eggs may also be used in cases of unexplained infertility and severe endometriosis. * Donor sperm: The couple may opt for the donor sperm when the male partner i
