Oocyte Donation in the UK: How Does it Work?

Who Should Opt for Donor Eggs?

Some patients, like female same-sex, male same-sex couples and single individuals, know from the start they'll need donor eggs or sperm. For others, using donor gametes becomes the best or only path to pregnancy after other attempts. 

Here are some reasons why someone might opt for donor eggs:

In the UK, it was reported that patients aged 45-50 used donor eggs more than other age groups. 

This is because when using donor eggs, the chance of pregnancy and egg quality is largely dependent on the donor’s age (which is usually younger than 35), rather than the recipient’s age.

What are the Types of Oocyte Donors?

Broadly, egg donors can be classified into three types: 

1. Altruistic donor

An altruistic donor is someone whom the egg recipient does not know. Regardless, altruistic donors consent to donate eggs. These donors are often compensated in many countries and are more common compared to known donors.

2. Known donors

A known donor is someone who knows the egg recipient personally, such as a friend or a family member. 

3. Egg sharing

Egg sharing is a type of egg donation where you can choose to keep half the eggs retrieved during your egg freezing cycle and donate the other half. 

You can choose whether the other half is to be donated to a recipient or for research purposes.

How does Oocyte Donation Work?

Here’s the deal: The oocyte donation process looks a bit different than your normal egg freezing cycle. 

This is because donors mandatorily have to go through a screening and counselling process before they start. 

For donors, the age criteria vary within countries, but usually donors above 18-20 and under age 35 are preferred, as our egg quality declines with age. Younger eggs have a reduced risk of genetic abnormalities and higher live birth rates.

Oocyte Donation Process in the UK: A Breakdown

🔎 Stage one: Screening

Donors have to go through a screening process to make sure that they are suitable for the procedure. This considers their medical history, well-being and any conditions that may affect the donor, the oocyte and the egg recipient. 

Screening can be divided into four categories:

Medical and family history 

This is the part where a detailed medical and family history is requested. Ideally, donors should have good general health and no evidence of heritable disease. 

Physical examination

On the surface, these include blood pressure and body mass index. Apart from that, they also include ovarian reserve test (Anti-mullerian hormone+ Antral follicle count test) and screening for genetic and infectious diseases. 

A karyotype (genetic assessment) is also done to check whether the donor unknowingly carries gene variants of common conditions such as cystic fibrosis or other conditions that can be passed on.

Investigations 

This part also happens in regular egg freezing cycles. These are blood work investigations such as viral screening (HIV, Hepatitis B and C, syphilis, gonorrhoea, chlamydia and others such as cytomegalovirus, toxoplasmosis and herpes virus). 

Psychological assessment or counselling

This approach is adopted by some centres to ensure that donors are psychologically capable of going through the donor process and coping afterwards with their decision. 

Ideally, here’s what the eligibility criteria for egg donation looks like:

• Between 21-35 years of age
• BMI between 18-29
• A non-smoker and non alcoholic 
• Ovarian reserve within the normal range

🥚Stage Two: The Egg Donation Cycle

Once the screening process is done, donors are then invited to sign consent forms, prior to the egg donation cycle.

This also means being aware that their blood group and characteristics such as height, hair and eye colour will be used to match them to recipients. 

The egg donation cycle is next- and this is the common part in egg freezing and egg donor cycles:

• Pretreatment blood work and tests (part of the screening process for donors)
• Ovarian stimulation
• Trigger shot and egg retrieval 
• Freezing and storage or next steps

Since the blood work, virology tests and ovarian reserve tests are done beforehand, donors usually get started with the stimulation protocols once selected. 

Ovarian stimulation protocol

Based on the donor’s medical history, the doctor will suggest an ovarian stimulation protocol to maximise the number of eggs retrieved in the cycle.

The protocols usually start on day 1-2 of your menstrual cycle. The medication regimen usually lasts for about two weeks, where you will inject medication such as Gonadotropins (FSH/LH) to grow multiple follicles, thus resulting in more eggs in a single cycle. In comparison, our natural cycle only produces a single, mature egg. 

Throughout, you will have regular blood work and ultrasound appointments to monitor follicle growth. 

Trigger shot and egg retrieval

When your follicles reach a size of 16-22mm, which is an ideal size of follicles containing mature eggs, the trigger shot is given. 

Most often, its a hCG trigger which mimics the natural hormone surge in our body and helps with egg maturation and release. 34-36 hours later, the egg retrieval surgery happens, which is a procedure done under anaesthesia and eggs are retrieved from follicles.

Right after, the doctor or the embryologist will inform you of the number of mature eggs retrieved.

Freezing and storage, or next steps

Based on whether it's a fresh or frozen egg cycle, here are two outcomes:

Fresh egg donation cycle

This is where the treatment cycle of the egg donor and the egg recipient is timed together. 

This occurs simultaneously. The donor goes through the entire medication process, follicle monitoring and egg collection surgery. Post egg collection, fertilisation is performed either with donor sperm or the recipient's partner sperm.

At the same time, the recipient goes through a uterine preparation protocol, where the endometrium of the uterus is prepared to receive the embryo. 

Embryo transfer usually happens around day 3 or 5 after the egg collection surgery. 

This is called a fresh egg donation cycle, as there’s no freezing involved, the cycle ends with the fresh embryo being transferred to the recipient.

Frozen egg donation cycle

This is like your typical egg freezing cycle. The donor goes through the whole process of medication, follicle monitoring and egg collection surgery. Mature eggs are frozen and can be used later in the future based on the recipient who opts for it.

Once the egg collection surgery is done, it’s all about recovery and monitoring to notice any risks and side effects. 

‍Also read: Tips to recover from your egg retrieval

What are the Risks of Egg Donation?

As with every surgical procedure, oocyte donation also comes with some short-term side effects and some minor risks:

• Physical risks/side effects such as pain, bloating, mood swings, headaches, nausea
• Allergic reaction to medications 
• Risk of pelvic pain, bleeding from vagjnal wall, infection, and, albeit rare, injury to local structures such as bowels or uterus 
• Moderate to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (occurring in <8% of women undergoing egg freezing/donation cycles)

However, it’s important to note that recovery symptoms look different for everyone, and keeping a track of it, and reaching out to the clinic for questions can help manage risks or side effects during the recovery phase.

What’s the Maximum Number of Times an Egg Donor Can Donate?

In the UK, the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) limits egg donors to creating a maximum of 10 families. There's no specific limit on the number of donation cycles, but the family limit applies, and clinics also limit it for your safety and health. 

In the US, guidelines from the American Society for Reproductive Medicine recommend no more than 6 lifetime donations.

Will Egg Donors Be Compensated?

Yes, egg donors receive compensation, but regulations vary by country. In the UK, donors can receive up to £980 per cycle as compensation for expenses, time, and the effort of clinic consultations and going through the cycle itself- rather than for the eggs donated. Most European countries allow only expense reimbursement, while some countries prohibit any compensation.

What is the Success Rate of Donor Eggs in the UK?

Patients in older age groups (above 40) can increase their IVF success rates and birth rates by using donor eggs. As per HFEA, birth rates remained at over 30% for people of all ages using donor eggs in the UK.

Ultimately, success rates vary based on recipient age, embryo quality, clinic expertise, and whether fresh or frozen eggs are used. 

Do Egg Donors Remain Anonymous?

No, egg donation is not anonymous in the UK. Since 2005, all donors must agree to be identifiable. When donor-conceived children reach age 18, they can access identifying information about their donors (name, date of birth, last known address). 

Recipients receive only non-identifying information about donors. Some countries like Spain maintain donor anonymity, while others like Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand, have similar identity-release systems.

On the other hand, as an egg donor, you can contact your fertility clinic or the HFEA directly to ask for information on:

• How many births have occurred as a result of your donation
• The age, sex and year of birth for the children born

Find the Right Fertility Clinic for You, via Amilis

Choosing to donate your eggs and offer someone an opportunity to expand their own family, is no small feat. 

But if you’re there and looking for the next steps, we’re here with the right resources! 

Infact, when you opt to search for a clinic via Amilis, here’s what you get:

• Free consultations with top fertility clinics in the UK
• Free consultations with expert doctors 

With zero waiting times, you get to consult expert specialists and counselling at clinics if you decide to move ahead with an egg donation cycle, or if you simply want to know more.

And if you’re not looking to donate eggs, but rather want to know about egg freezing, we can help too.

Apart from free consultations with clinics and doctors, you get:

• Zero waiting times on fertility testing, and the option to book an AMH test (at just £80) or a full hormone fertility test (at just £130) anytime, at your convenience
• A personalised report on your hormone levels and what it could mean for your fertility 
• A free 1-1 call with our team to figure out the next steps (and to get any of your questions, answered!)

When you opt to use our free resources or book our tests, you also get a stellar support team (that’s us 👋) guiding you along at every step! 

Figuring out where to get started? Book a free chatl, or take our personalised fertility quiz to know more!

Frequently asked questions

1. Is donating eggs painful?

Egg donation involves some discomfort but varies between individuals. The daily hormone injections (10-14 days) can cause mild soreness at injection sites, bloating, and mood swings. During the stimulation phase, you might experience abdominal discomfort similar to period cramps as your ovaries enlarge. 

The actual egg retrieval procedure is performed under sedation or general anaesthesia, so you won't feel pain during collection, though you might experience cramping and bloating for 1-3 days afterward.

2. How to become an egg donor in the UK?

To become an egg donor in the UK, you must first meet eligibility requirements, typically being between 18-35 years old and in good health. The screening process includes blood tests, virology screening, and detailed medical and family history assessments to ensure you're suitable. 

Your psychological well-being will also be evaluated to confirm you understand the implications of donation. Once cleared through these screenings, you can be registered as an egg donor and matched with recipients through a licensed fertility clinic.

3. Can you sell your eggs in the UK?

In the UK, it's illegal to sell eggs, and commercial egg donation is prohibited. However, donors receive compensation of up to £950 per donation cycle to cover expenses, time, and inconvenience. 

This payment is regulated by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and isn't considered payment for the eggs themselves. Many women choose to donate altruistically to help others build families, making it an act of generosity rather than a commercial transaction.