Egg donor

Egg donation is a process where an egg or oocyte is extracted from a donor and used to facilitate pregnancy in another woman, often referred to as the recipient. This process is a part of assisted reproductive technology (ART), which includes procedures such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).

History

The first successful pregnancy through egg donation was reported in Australia in 1983, and since then, it has become a common practice in reproductive medicine.

Process

The process of egg donation involves several steps. First, the donor undergoes a series of medical and psychological evaluations to ensure they are suitable for donation. Once approved, the donor is given hormone therapy to stimulate the production of multiple eggs. The eggs are then retrieved through a minor surgical procedure known as ovarian follicle aspiration. After retrieval, the eggs are fertilized in a laboratory using the recipient's partner's sperm or donor sperm. The resulting embryos are then transferred to the recipient's uterus.

Legal and Ethical Issues

Egg donation raises several legal and ethical issues. In some countries, egg donation is completely banned, while in others, it is heavily regulated. Issues such as donor anonymity, compensation, and the rights of the resulting children are often subjects of debate.

See Also

• Sperm donation
• Surrogacy
• In vitro fertilization
• Assisted reproductive technology