Authors

Monserrat Pallas Seijas

Position

Diplomada en Enfermería. ZYGOS. Centro Gallego de Reproducción.

Contact address

Rua das Burgas, 2. 15705 Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña.

Abstract

Assisted reproduction techniques have made it possible for prospective parents to have children and for unfertile mothers to carry the baby. More and more couples are turning to these techniques, one of which is ovocyte donation, unknown up until a few years ago. Anonymous egg donation has made conception possible for women with early onset menopause, those who have had their ovaries removed, those presenting chromosome anomalies, constant IVF failures, or for older women. It is a highly effective treatment which leads to pregnancies which would have otherwise been impossible. It is also very gratifying given that it is thanks to the collaboration of a woman that another woman experiences the much awaited pregnancy.
While the recipient receives estrogen treatment to generate an embryo-receptive endometrium, the donor undergoes an ovarian stimulation program for follicular development, with the objective of retrieving mature ovules through an ovarian puncture. These ovules will later be fertilized in the laboratory with the partner’s semen, or with semen from an anonymous donor.
Egg donation programmes make a woman’s dream of becoming a mother come true thanks to the collaboration of another woman. Egg donors are women who undergo a very strict screening and selection program: they must be young (<35 years), healthy, free of any infectious diseases, with a normal cariotype and normal results in psychological tests. Donation is anonymous. The ideal donor for each couple is selected beforehand based on physical characteristics and blood types.

Keywords:

assisted reproduction techniques; egg donation; ovarian failureovarian hyperstimulation

Versión en Español

Título:

Ovodonación