IVF with egg donation

At Tambre, from the moment the decision is made to opt for oocyte donation, we set about selecting the most suitable donor, in line with the aforementioned requirements.

We start to stimulate the donor’s ovaries with hormone medication in order to obtain as many good-quality oocytes as possible. Depending on the donor’s oocyte response, we can obtain between 6 and 15 oocytes on average.

On the day the oocytes are obtained from the donor, they will be fertilised with the couple’s sperm or that of a donor, by means of intracytoplasmic microinjection (ICSI).

At the same time as the donor’s ovarian puncture is performed, the male partner provides the semen sample, which is prepared in the laboratory in order to optimise its capacity for fertilisation. Similarly, if the sample comes from our own sperm donor bank or was cryopreserved, it is processed and prepared in the Andrology laboratory for the fertilisation of the eggs.

In the embryology laboratory, fertilisation is facilitated by joining the donated oocyte with the sperm from the couple or a donor. This process can be by means of a conventional IVF cycle – more natural and spontaneous – or by using the ICSI technique, which consists of selecting a spermatozoon that is deposited directly inside the oocyte.

After fertilisation, the embryos begin their development in incubators with a culture medium that provides them with what is necessary for their growth. While waiting to be transferred or vitrified, the embryos are constantly evaluated and monitored using the Time Lapse system.

In the case of the recipient woman, medical treatment basically consists of preparing the endometrium, which is the layer of cells that covers the uterus, so it is in the best possible condition to receive the embryo. This treatment will vary depending on whether or not the patient is menstruating.

If the patient does not live in Madrid or even comes from another country, the treatment can be provided by her doctor in her place of residence, and she can contact Clinica Tambre for the necessary checks by telephone or email.

The day after the donor puncture, we will call the patient to inform her of the number of fertilised oocytes and to let her know when the embryo transfer will be scheduled.

This is a simple and painless procedure that is performed with the help of an abdominal ultrasound. It consists of depositing the embryos in the uterine cavity, using a very fine cannula. In order to favour embryo implantation, a hormonal treatment with progesterone, which is essential in the first months of gestation, is also prescribed.

Sometimes the transfer can be carried out with vitrified eggs. In these cases, the cycles of the donor and recipient do not have to be synchronised. Furthermore, the exact day of the transfer can be chosen, as the eggs will be thawed as needed.