Embryo Donation

An embryo is formed when an egg is fertilised by sperm. Embryo donation can increase the hope of having a child for couples undergoing infertility treatment who need both egg donation and sperm donation. As in IVF treatment, the embryos created are placed in the recipient's uterus to help achieve pregnancy.

Who Is Embryo Donation For?

Embryo donation is performed for couples who need eggs and sperm, or for single people. Single women who have no eggs or are of advanced age can become pregnant through the transfer of embryos created with egg and sperm donation. It is also used for couples whose eggs and sperm carry genetic defects for various genetic reasons.

1. Women with diminished ovarian reserve
2. Couples where the man has a sperm production problem
3. Couples with repeated IVF failures
4. Couples with genetic problems
5. Couples who have not succeeded with other reproductive methods such as insemination or IVF
6. Couples with a history of recurrent miscarriage
7. LGBT+ couples (female-female and male-male couples)
8. Couples in the process of adoption

Embryo Donation: Donation of Frozen Embryos

Under the laws of the TRNC, it is prohibited to use embryos that people have left unused and donated. We never use such embryos in our clinic. Instead, we use embryos created with gametes (eggs and sperm) obtained from donors chosen by the recipients.

Embryo Donation Process

1. Application: The first step is for couples or individuals interested in embryo donation to apply to the clinic.
2. Assessment: The clinic assesses applicants with a series of medical tests and examinations. At this stage, medical history, age, health status and other factors are taken into account.
3. Donor selection: The recipients choose the egg and sperm donors. In this process, the donors' characteristics, health history and other factors are considered.
4. Preparation: A series of medical tests is performed for the donors and the recipient; hormonal medication may be used to prepare the recipient's uterine lining.
5. Transfer: Once preparation is complete, the embryo created from the donors' egg and sperm is transferred to the recipient's uterus. The transfer is a medical procedure that does not require anaesthesia.
6. Monitoring: After the embryo transfer, the recipient is followed up periodically and pregnancy tests are performed. If pregnancy occurs, regular medical follow-up continues throughout the pregnancy.

Preparing the Woman Who Will Carry the Baby

HSG (Uterine X-ray)

This procedure clarifies two things. First, structural abnormalities of the uterus and space-occupying lesions such as fibroids and polyps are detected. In this case, corrective surgery by hysteroscopy usually resolves the problem. Congenital anomalies known as Müllerian anomalies can lead to premature birth, so a single embryo transfer is necessary.

Second, uterine adhesions that develop after previous curettage, surgery or D&C procedures are detected. It is wrong to start treatment without resolving these problems.

Blood Tests in Embryo Donation

Standard tests are first performed on the woman who will carry the baby: infectious disease tests, thyroid tests and various haematology and biochemistry tests.

Physical Examination

First, the patient's medical and family history is taken. In doubtful cases, cardiology and internal medicine consultations are requested. Other tests and investigations may also be requested depending on the situation. These examinations aim to ensure that the woman goes through pregnancy without problems.

Ultrasound

The aim of this examination is to detect cysts and other formations that may be present in the abdomen.

Endometrium

The endometrium is the tissue lining the inside of the uterus. Proper assessment by ultrasound is extremely important. Previous intrauterine procedures can permanently damage the endometrium. In women who menstruate, the endometrium should be checked between days 14 and 27 of the cycle.

In menopausal women, the assessment should be made after 14 days of oestrogen hormone treatment.

Preparing the Egg Donor

The process begins with selecting the egg donor. It is important that the egg and sperm donors are chosen to match the blood groups of the recipient family. If the baby's blood group does not match those of the mother and father, various psychological and social problems may arise.

Serological Tests for the Egg Donor

VDRL, HBsAg, Anti-HCV and HIV Duo tests are performed.

Haematological Tests

A complete blood count is used to check whether the donor carries any risk during egg collection. Anaemia, thrombocytopenia that could cause a clotting disorder, and infections are assessed. aPTT, PT and INR clotting tests are also performed.

Genetic Tests

Karyotype: Even donors who have given birth before need a chromosome analysis called a karyotype. Some sex chromosome abnormalities may not appear in the first child.

Cystic fibrosis: A hereditary disease that is common especially among Europeans. Donors must be screened for it.

Mediterranean anaemia (thalassaemia): Common especially in countries bordering the Mediterranean. It is tested by haemoglobin electrophoresis.

Recombine test: This test can screen for about 500 of the most common hereditary diseases. It costs approximately €1000.

CentoScreen® Carrier Screening test: A comprehensive screening panel sequences 331 autosomal and X-linked recessive diseases (≥ 20x coverage, CNV reporting for 34 genes, additional assays for SMN1, FMR1 and CYP21A2). It costs approximately €1000.

Results for both tests take 3-4 weeks. The Recombine and CentoScreen tests are performed on request and are paid for separately by the patients. The blood tests listed above are standard; additional tests for the donor may vary according to the patients' wishes.

Psychological Tests

With the help of our clinic's psychologists, psychological tests are given to the egg donor to look for psychotic disorders that may be hereditary. These tests screen for schizophrenia, paranoia, personality disorders, intellectual disabilities and cyclothymic disorders.

An IQ test can also be performed on request. In our clinic, we use donors who are at least high-school graduates.

Donor Selection in Embryo Donation

Because the procedure is demanding and time-consuming, egg donors face a significant loss of working time. For this reason, in countries where egg donation is permitted, at least the donor's loss of earnings is compensated. Because the amount paid to donors in the UK is low, about 90% of British patients go abroad for donation.

Today, the most preferred donors in Europe and Asia come from former USSR countries, namely Ukraine and Russia. The most important factor in this preference is physical and athletic characteristics. Because the marriage age in these countries is early, many donors become mothers at a young age. Taking eggs from young mothers is an advantage; a donor who has given birth to a healthy baby is more reliable than donors who have not.

Preferred Characteristics in an Egg Donor

Donor Age

The most important characteristic is the donor's age. We do not use people over 30 as donors. Eggs from a young donor increase the chance of success. In addition, when eggs from a young donor are used, the risk of chromosomal conditions such as Down and Edwards syndrome in the baby is reduced.

Donor Having a Healthy Child or Children

Donors having healthy children reduces the likelihood of hereditary diseases. Donors having both a daughter and a son greatly reduces the risk of sex chromosome disorders that can be passed on via the X and Y chromosomes.

Height

In our clinic, we do not use donors shorter than 165 cm; our patients do not prefer short donors.

Eye Colour

Egg and sperm donation should be matched to the eye colour of the prospective mother and father. If eggs or sperm from a dark-eyed donor are used for light-eyed prospective parents, the baby may have dark eyes. This may later lead the child and family to face psychological and social problems.

Donor Skin Tone

The donor's skin tone is one of the factors that determine the skin colour of the child. Following the advice of an experienced doctor after assessing the skin tones of the prospective mother and father is the best choice for recipients. Our 30 years of experience make it easier to identify the most suitable donor for our patients.

Donor's Level of Education

Education systems differ from country to country. A donor's level of education is not a direct measure of intelligence; however, graduating from a selective school that is hard to get into can give some indication. A child's success is also closely related to the environment in which they grow up. A healthy and loving environment is essential for a child.

Frequently Asked Questions About Embryo Donation

What is embryo donation?

Embryo donation is the transfer, to the uterus of the woman who will carry the baby, of an embryo created in the laboratory by fertilising a donor egg with donor sperm.

Who is embryo donation for?

It is performed for couples who need both eggs and sperm, for single women who have no eggs or are of advanced age, and for couples whose eggs and sperm carry genetic defects. Women with diminished ovarian reserve and couples with repeated IVF failure or recurrent miscarriage are also in this group.

Can embryos donated by others be used in the TRNC?

No. Under TRNC law, it is prohibited to use embryos that people have left unused and donated. In our clinic, embryos are created with eggs and sperm from donors chosen by the recipients.

How does the embryo donation process work?

The process consists of application, medical assessment, selection of egg and sperm donors, preparation, embryo transfer and monitoring. During preparation, the recipient's uterine lining may be prepared with hormonal medication.

Does embryo transfer require anaesthesia?

No. Embryo transfer is a medical procedure that does not require anaesthesia.

What tests are done on the woman who will carry the baby?

HSG (uterine X-ray), infectious disease, thyroid, haematology and biochemistry tests, a physical examination, ultrasound and endometrial assessment are performed. If there are fibroids, polyps or adhesions in the uterus, they must be resolved before the procedure.

What tests are done on the egg donor?

Serological tests (VDRL, HBsAg, Anti-HCV, HIV Duo), a complete blood count and clotting tests, karyotype, cystic fibrosis and thalassaemia screening, and psychological tests are performed. An IQ test can also be performed on request.

What are the Recombine and CentoScreen tests?

They are expanded genetic tests that screen for hereditary diseases. Recombine screens for about 500 diseases and CentoScreen for 331. Each costs approximately €1000 and results take 3-4 weeks. They are performed on request and paid for separately.

What characteristics are considered in donor selection?

In our clinic, donors over 30 or shorter than 165 cm are not used, and we work with donors who are at least high-school graduates. Having healthy children and a match in blood group, eye colour and skin tone with the prospective parents are also taken into account.

Why is the donor's blood group important?

If the baby's blood group does not match those of the mother and father, various psychological and social problems may arise. For this reason, egg and sperm donors are chosen to match the blood groups of the recipient family.

What Matters Most in Embryo Donation?

Embryo donation is an important option for couples and single people who need both eggs and sperm. Comprehensive testing of donors and choosing them to match the recipients' physical characteristics form the foundation of the process.

A detailed assessment of the uterus and general health of the woman who will carry the baby before the procedure is the right first step towards a healthy pregnancy.