Assisted Reproduction Treatments
IVF with donor eggs, also known as Egg Donation, is an Assisted Reproduction technique involving In Vitro Fertilisation with eggs from a donor and the partner’s sperm (or a sperm donor’s).
To obtain the best results, at Institut Marquès we always use intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in all IVF treatments.
The donor’s eggs are fertilised with the partner’s (or donor’s) sperm in the laboratory and the resulting embryo or embryos are, then transferred to the patient’s uterus. This is an optimal option for those patients whose eggs are not of sufficient quality to achieve an evolutionary pregnancy.
In Vitro Fertilisation has advanced significantly in recent years and today has very high pregnancy rates as long as it is performed in a qualified centre. Diagnosis, personalised guidance and coordination of the medical team are essential for the success of the process. It is also essential that it develops in A laboratory equipped with advanced technology in Reproductive Biology is also vital, allowing the most suitable eggs, sperm and embryos to be obtained to achieve a pregnancy.
| Results | Under 35 years old | Over 35 years old |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy per cycle | 91,5% | 86,3% |
| Clinical pregnancy per cycle | 85,1% | 80,9% |
| Live birth per cycle | 83,2% | 75% |
The donors are specially selected for each patient by their doctor. They are anonymous donors, as Spanish Law 14/2006 of 26 May on Assisted Human Reproduction Techniques establishes that donations must be made anonymously, voluntarily, informed and unpaid. At Institut Marquès, we have more than 2000 premium donors of all phenotypes to guarantee the best choice for each case. Having our own gamete bank, we personally know the donors and choose the best match.
Both egg and sperm donors are healthy young people who wish to help other people start a family. They undergo an exhaustive medical review, which includes analyses, psychological tests, karyotype studies, tests to rule out infectious diseases and specific tests to discard the most common genetic mutations in the European population. In addition to their blood group and Rh, they are selected according to their physical characteristics. Hereditary character traits are also considered. We seek the perfect match between the patient and donors.
After learning how we select our donors, it is only natural for other questions to arise.
At Institut Marquès, we take a comprehensive approach so that donation is not only a medical matter, but also an emotionally meaningful experience for you.
We look for the closest possible physical resemblance between you and the donor, considering aspects such as skin, eye and hair colour, build and height. Blood group and Rh factor are also taken into account.
Through a genetic compatibility test, we can analyse more than 300 diseases to avoid matches with your genetic profile, reducing the risk of transmitting recessive diseases.
In addition to medical criteria, we conduct personality tests and assess heritable psychological traits (such as temperament).
Although you do not share the genetic makeup, your body and your environment during pregnancy do have an influence. Your emotions, lifestyle and care affect how the embryo’s genes are expressed. Science has shown that this connection also leaves a lasting mark.
Egg donation procedure at a distance (DOD) at our centre in Rome (Italy)
Thanks to the Egg Donation at a Distance (DOD) programme, patients who come to our centre in Rome to carry out IVF with egg donation do not have to travel to Barcelona for the embryo transfer.
The first visit, the collection of the sperm sample and the patient’s preparation for embryo transfer are all carried out at our facilities in Italy. The partner’s sperm sample is frozen and sent to the Institut Marquès laboratory at our fertility clinic in Barcelona, where In Vitro Fertilisation is carried out using the donor’s eggs. The embryos are cryopreserved on their fifth day of development (blastocyst) to be sent to Italy, where the transfer will take place.
IVF procedure in Barcelona for international patients: Just for Transfer
In countries where Egg Donation at a Distance is not possible, Institut Marquès has created the Just for Transfer programme. This is an alternative where patients only have to travel for the embryo transfer.
In this case, the donor’s and patient’s cycles must be synchronised. The entire procedure can be done without freezing the gametes (fresh): the sperm sample can be obtained on the same day the donor’s ovarian puncture is carried out. Once IVF is performed, patients must wait five days for the embryo to reach the blastocyst stage for transfer.
We offer you the opportunity to receive a 100% refund of your egg donation treatment if, after three cycles, you are not able to take your baby home. With the IM Babyborn 100% Guarantee, you'll benefit from one of the most comprehensive fertility treatment guarantees available.
The main difference lies in the origin of the eggs. In conventional IVF, the woman's own eggs are used, while in IVF with egg donation, the eggs come from a donor. This approach is used when the woman cannot produce viable eggs.
The cost of IVF with egg donation is generally higher than that of conventional IVF due to the costs associated with egg donation, such as donor compensation, medical tests, and the cryopreservation process. Prices can range from €6,000 to €13,000 per cycle, depending on what is included in the treatment package.
The first signs of a successful transfer may include light bleeding, abdominal bloating, and breast tenderness. However, definitive confirmation is only obtained through a pregnancy test approximately 10-12 days after the transfer.
Embryo transfer is generally performed between 3 and 5 days after fertilization, when the embryos have reached the blastocyst stage. This allows for the selection of embryos with the highest implantation potential.
Embryos can be frozen and stored for several years without losing their viability. The decision of when to use these embryos depends on the couple's reproductive plans.
To maximize the chances of success, it is important to synchronize the menstrual cycles of the donor and recipient. This is achieved through the administration of hormonal medications, which prepare the recipient's uterus to receive the embryos at the appropriate time.
The IVF process with egg donation begins with ovarian stimulation of the donor to collect the eggs. These eggs are fertilized in the laboratory with sperm from the partner or a donor. The resulting embryos are cultured for a few days and then transferred to the recipient's uterus.
The number of embryos to transfer depends on several factors, including the woman's age and the quality of the embryos. At Institut Marquès, we transfer a single embryo in over 90% of cases. This demonstrates that the chances of success do not decrease, thus avoiding the risks associated with multiple pregnancies.
After embryo transfer, it is recommended to lead a calm life, avoid stress, and follow the doctor's instructions.
Unused embryos can be cryopreserved for future pregnancy attempts. They can also be donated to other couples or used for research, depending on the country's legislation and the recipient couple's preferences.
