Egg Donation

What is Egg Donation?

Egg donation has been practiced worldwide for nearly 40 years. It involves retrieving egg cells from healthy donors and fertilizing them with sperm from the intended father or a sperm bank. The resulting embryo is then transferred into the recipient mother’s uterus.

The first egg donation procedure was performed in California, USA. Over time, the practice spread to South America, the UK, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Greece, and many African and Asian countries, as well as Australia. In Northern Cyprus, egg donation started in the early 2000s, and the country has since become a pioneer in this field, inspiring other nations.

Donor Selection in Egg Donation

1. Known Donor

In this method, the intended parents can bring a known donor who meets the legal criteria set by Northern Cyprus regulations. All necessary tests and examinations are conducted. However, due to potential social complications in the future, this option is generally not recommended.

2. Anonymous Donor

The IVF clinic selects a suitable donor according to legal and family preferences. Since donor and recipient information is kept completely confidential, this is the safest and most preferred option.

Egg Donation Treatment Process

Once the preparation phase is completed, the treatment process begins. The duration of treatment varies from person to person, averaging between 12-15 days. To synchronize with the donor, the donor’s menstrual cycle is aligned with yours. If you do not have a menstrual cycle, the treatment will be initiated at a suitable time determined by your doctor.

If preferred, embryos can be created before starting the treatment. This reduces the required stay in Cyprus, provides a financial advantage, and allows the quality of embryos to be assessed in advance, ensuring a more tailored medication protocol.

The treatment process is straightforward and minimally invasive. The uterus lining is prepared for embryo implantation using estrogen hormone tablets (Estrofem). The treatment duration, medication dosage, and all other details will be determined by your doctor, and the procedure date will be communicated by our team.

Egg Donation Treatment Process in Cyprus

1. MODULE (Fresh Transfer)

Once the preliminary preparation processes of the intended mother and the donor are synchronized, the treatment date is determined, and the one-week treatment process in Cyprus is organized.

Day 0

Since it is advisable to arrive in Cyprus one day before the donor’s egg retrieval, your travel will be arranged by our transportation team. Upon landing at Ercan Airport in Cyprus, you will be greeted by our private driver and transferred to your chosen hotel. You can spend this day resting.

Keep in mind that traffic in Cyprus moves on the left side, and the steering wheel is on the right. Please be cautious when crossing the street.

Day 1

The donor’s eggs are retrieved early in the morning. Due to confidentiality protocols, all procedures are handled with strict privacy, ensuring that you will not encounter your donor at the clinic. A sperm sample is collected from the intended father and processed in the laboratory by our embryologists to fertilize the retrieved eggs. Your doctor will conduct a medical examination, and the treatment process will begin. If injection treatment is required, our nurses will administer it at your hotel.

Day 2

Through the microinjection method (ICSI), the fertilization of eggs and sperm is checked in the laboratory. The number of embryos formed is determined, and our embryologists will inform you about the process. Keeping your phone available throughout the day is recommended.

Day 3

Your embryos are now on their second day of development. While you enjoy the unique nature and sea of Cyprus, our expert embryologists will continue monitoring your embryos. In some cases, embryo transfer may be planned on day 3. If so, our nurses will inform you about the transfer time and necessary precautions.

Day 4

Your embryos are now three days old, and their quality and quantity are evaluated. If transfer is not planned for this day, there is no need to visit the clinic. Our embryologists will keep you informed.

Day 5

Your embryos are now four days old, and you do not need to visit the clinic. Our nurses will notify you about your transfer time and any necessary instructions.

Day 6

Today is your embryo transfer day. To achieve a higher success rate and reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies, embryo transfer is usually performed on day 5, known as "blastocyst embryo transfer."

Before the transfer, you will need to have a full bladder. Therefore, drinking about 1 liter of water one hour before the procedure is recommended. You will receive information about the embryos before the transfer. The transfer itself takes approximately 10 minutes, followed by a 30-minute rest period. Afterward, you will receive detailed instructions on post-transfer care.

If additional embryos remain, they can be frozen for future use. This allows for a second attempt at a lower cost in case of an unsuccessful cycle or the possibility of a genetically identical sibling in the future.

Day 7

With the hope of a successful outcome, it is now time to return home. You will be transferred from your hotel to the airport in a private vehicle, ensuring a comfortable journey back home.

Post-Egg Donation Treatment Process

A pregnancy test should be performed 12 days after the transfer. Depending on the results, additional tests and ultrasounds may be recommended. Our team will continue to support you throughout this process.

2. MODULE (Frozen Embryo Transfer)

In this method, embryos are created in advance, and the transfer is scheduled at a later date. The donor's retrieved eggs are fertilized with sperm and frozen at the blastocyst stage on day 5. The transfer process begins according to the intended mother’s menstrual cycle.

If the embryo development does not meet the desired criteria, an alternative donor will be used, and the family will not incur additional costs.

Both treatment methods have their advantages. The final choice depends on the family’s workload, financial situation, and personal preferences.

The Cyprus Fertility Center team wishes you the best of luck.

Who Is Egg Donation Suitable For?

Egg donation is an ideal option for women who:

Have a low ovarian reserve or diminished egg quality.
Have entered early menopause.
Carry a genetic disorder that could be passed on to their child.
Have experienced multiple failed IVF cycles using their own eggs.

This method provides a solution for women who are unable to conceive with their own eggs, offering them the opportunity to experience pregnancy and give birth.

How Long Does the Egg Donation Process Take?

The egg donation process typically takes 12 to 15 days, depending on the synchronization of the recipient and the donor. The key stages include:

Initial Consultation: Evaluation of the recipient’s medical history and fertility status.
Donor Matching: Selection of a suitable egg donor.
Endometrial Preparation: The recipient takes medications to prepare the uterus for embryo implantation.
Egg Retrieval & Fertilization: The donor’s eggs are retrieved, fertilized with the partner’s or donor sperm.
Embryo Transfer: The healthiest embryo is transferred to the recipient’s uterus.
Pregnancy Test: A blood test is conducted 12 days after the transfer to confirm pregnancy.

If frozen embryo transfer (FET) is chosen, the process can be shorter, as embryos are already prepared.

Who Will the Baby Resemble in Egg Donation?

In egg donation, the baby will inherit genetic traits from the egg donor and the biological father (or sperm donor). Since the recipient mother does not contribute genetic material, the child’s physical characteristics are influenced by the genetic makeup of the donor and the father.

However, recent studies suggest that the mother’s uterine environment and epigenetics can also play a role in the baby’s development. This means that although the genetic material comes from the donor, the mother carrying the baby can influence certain biological processes during pregnancy.

At Clavis Fertility Center, we carefully match donors with the recipient’s physical features, such as hair color, eye color, skin tone, and ethnicity, to increase resemblance and create a natural genetic match.

What Is the Success Rate of Egg Donation?

Egg donation is one of the most successful fertility treatments, with high pregnancy rates compared to conventional IVF. The success rate depends on several factors, including the quality of the donated eggs, the recipient’s uterine health, and the expertise of the fertility clinic.

At Clavis Fertility Center, our egg donation program offers a success rate of up to 90%. This high rate is achieved because:

Eggs are retrieved from young, healthy, and thoroughly screened donors.
Only the highest quality embryos are selected for transfer.
Each treatment plan is personalized to maximize implantation chances.
Advanced laboratory techniques, such as blastocyst culture and genetic testing, are utilized.

With expert medical care, modern technology, and individualized treatment plans, egg donation significantly increases the chances of achieving a healthy pregnancy.

Egg Donation in Cyprus: