Introduction
Purposes and Applications
Egg & Sperm Donation: This option is pursued by men/women who are unable to utilize their own sperm/eggs due to various factors such as:
- Absence or underdevelopment of ovaries.
- Premature ovarian failure or menopause.
- Risk of genetic disease transmission.
- Fertility challenges resulting from medical treatments like chemotherapy, surgery, or illness.
- Poor egg quality observed during multiple cycles of IVF treatment.
- Advanced maternal age and diminished ovarian reserve. In cases where the male partner experiences infertility (such as azoospermia or very low sperm count) or when there’s a risk of genetic disease transmission.
Surrogacy: Surrogacy involves a surrogate mother agreeing to carry and deliver a child for intended parents. It is sought by individuals unable to carry a pregnancy themselves due to reasons such as:
- Congenital absence or surgical removal of the uterus.
- Abnormal or undersized uterus.
- History of repeated implantation failure, miscarriages, or IVF failures.
- Conditions posing a risk to maternal health or life during pregnancy.
Preparation Process
Typically, egg donors, sperm donors, and surrogates are recruited through Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) banks and agencies.
Semen samples undergo a quarantine period of six months in ART banks, during which they are screened for various infectious diseases such as HIV, HBsAg, VDRL, HCV, and cytomegalovirus. Depending on the clinical scenario, donor semen samples can be utilized for either artificial insemination (IUI) or In Vitro Fertilization (IVF).