Embryo Donation is a process where individuals or couples donate their unused embryos to others who are unable to conceive using their own eggs or sperm. This procedure involves transferring a donated embryo to the recipient’s uterus, giving them a chance to experience pregnancy and childbirth. People often consider embryo donation when they have exhausted other fertility treatments, have genetic concerns, or are unable to produce viable eggs or sperm. It’s a compassionate option that allows donors to help others build families while providing recipients with an opportunity to carry and give birth to a child.

Embryo Donation in New York, NY is suitable for individuals or couples who have experienced repeated IVF failures, have genetic issues, or are unable to use their own gametes. The process typically involves matching donors with recipients, followed by the transfer of the donated embryo to the recipient’s uterus. After the transfer, recipients can expect to undergo regular prenatal care if pregnancy occurs. The success rates for embryo donation vary but are generally comparable to traditional IVF, with pregnancy rates ranging from 25% to 50% per transfer. If you’re considering Embryo Donation, book an appointment with Sher Fertility Solutions in New York, NY to explore your options and receive personalized care.

Embryo Banking/Stockpiling

Embryo banking/stockpiling has become a viable option in recent years due to significant advancements in reproductive technology. A decade ago, this approach was not feasible due to limitations in identifying chromosomally normal (“competent”) embryos and the damaging effects of the freezing process. However, two key innovations have transformed the landscape:

1. Improved Embryo Selection: Through embryo karyotyping with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS), we can now more accurately identify euploid (chromosomally normal) embryos for banking and stockpiling. This process, known as Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy (PGS/PGT-A), allows for the selection of the most “competent” embryos, increasing the chances of successful pregnancy.
2. Advanced Freezing Techniques: The introduction of ultra-rapid cryopreservation, particularly vitrification, has dramatically improved the survival rate of frozen embryos. In the past, up to 50% of embryos could be severely damaged during the freeze/thaw process. Today, vitrification has largely eliminated this issue, with frozen embryo transfers (FET) in top IVF centers now yielding success rates comparable to or even better than fresh embryo transfers.

These technological advancements have made embryo banking an attractive option, especially for older women and those with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) who wish to use their own eggs for IVF. While PGS/PGT-A is not absolutely necessary for embryo banking, it provides valuable information about embryo quality. Without it, patients would be unable to determine which stored embryos have the highest potential for successful pregnancy. The age-related increase in chromosomal abnormalities makes this information particularly crucial for older women considering embryo banking.

Reasons for Considering Embryo Donation

Repeated IVF Failures

For couples who have undergone multiple unsuccessful rounds of in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo donation can offer renewed hope. Repeated IVF failures can be emotionally and financially draining, leading to frustration and disappointment. Embryo donation provides an alternative path to parenthood, utilizing high-quality embryos from donors who have completed their family-building journey. This option can significantly increase the chances of a successful pregnancy, especially for those who have experienced recurrent implantation failure or unexplained infertility despite numerous IVF attempts.

Genetic Concerns

Some individuals or couples may carry genetic disorders or have a family history of hereditary conditions that they wish to avoid passing on to their children. Embryo donation allows these prospective parents to sidestep genetic concerns while still experiencing pregnancy and childbirth. Donated embryos often come from couples who have undergone genetic screening, providing recipients with additional reassurance about the genetic health of their potential child. This option can be particularly appealing for those who have discovered they are carriers of serious genetic disorders or have a high risk of transmitting inherited conditions.

Age-Related Infertility

As women age, their fertility naturally declines due to a decrease in both egg quantity and quality. For women in their late 30s or 40s who desire to become pregnant, embryo donation can be an excellent option. These donated embryos typically come from younger donors, which can significantly improve the chances of a successful pregnancy and healthy birth. Age-related infertility can be particularly frustrating for women who delay childbearing for various reasons, and embryo donation offers them the opportunity to experience pregnancy and motherhood despite the biological constraints of their own reproductive system.

Inability to Produce Viable Eggs or Sperm

Some individuals may be unable to produce viable eggs or sperm due to various medical conditions, cancer treatments, or premature ovarian failure. For these patients, embryo donation provides a chance to achieve pregnancy when using their own gametes is not possible. This option is particularly valuable for cancer survivors who may have undergone treatments that affected their fertility or for individuals with conditions such as primary ovarian insufficiency or severe male factor infertility. Embryo donation allows these individuals or couples to experience the joys of pregnancy and parenthood despite their reproductive challenges.

Desire to Experience Pregnancy and Childbirth

Many individuals and couples have a strong desire to experience pregnancy and childbirth, even if they cannot use their own genetic material. Embryo donation fulfills this wish by allowing the recipient to carry and give birth to their child. This process can foster a deep biological connection between the mother and baby through pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding. For many recipients, the ability to nurture their child from the earliest stages of development and experience the physical and emotional aspects of pregnancy is a profoundly meaningful part of their journey to parenthood.

Lower Cost Compared to Traditional IVF with Egg Donation

Embryo donation is often more cost-effective than traditional IVF with egg donation. Since the embryos are already created, recipients can avoid the expenses associated with egg retrieval, sperm collection, and the initial fertilization process. This can result in significant cost savings, making family-building more accessible to a broader range of individuals and couples who may have been priced out of other fertility treatments. Additionally, the streamlined process of embryo donation often requires fewer medical procedures and medications, further reducing both the financial burden and the physical toll on the recipient.

Embryo Donation Process

1. Rapid Succession IVF Stimulation and Retrieval
   Undergoing several IVF stimulation and egg retrieval procedures in quick succession. This approach involves multiple rounds of ovarian stimulation using hormonal medications to produce multiple eggs. The eggs are then retrieved through a minimally invasive procedure, typically performed under light sedation. By conducting these cycles in rapid succession, more eggs can be collected in a shorter timeframe, potentially increasing the overall number of viable embryos.
2. Comprehensive Genetic Screening
   Performing biopsies on retrieved embryos for preimplantation genetic sampling (PGS/PGT-A). This process involves carefully removing a few cells from each developing embryo and analyzing them for chromosomal abnormalities or specific genetic conditions. PGS (Preimplantation Genetic Screening) or PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy) can help identify embryos with the highest potential for successful implantation and healthy development.
3. Blastocyst Culture and Cryopreservation
   Freezing and banking all embryos that develop to the blastocyst stage (day 5-6 post-fertilization). Blastocysts are embryos that have reached a more advanced stage of development, typically consisting of 60-100 cells. These embryos are considered to have a higher potential for successful implantation. The freezing process, known as vitrification, allows for the long-term storage of these high-quality embryos.
4. Embryo Banking
   Storing these embryos for future use rather than immediate uterine transfer. This approach, often referred to as “embryo banking,” involves accumulating a larger number of high-quality, genetically screened embryos before proceeding with embryo transfer. By delaying transfer, patients can potentially increase their chances of success in future cycles and have multiple opportunities for pregnancy from a single round of egg retrievals.
5. Advanced Genetic Testing
   Once enough biopsied embryos (usually 4-8) have been stockpiled, all biopsied material derived from those embryos that reached the blastocyst stage are dispatched for PGS/PGT-A testing using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). This advanced technique allows for a more comprehensive analysis of the embryos’ genetic makeup.
6. Euploid Embryo Selection
   Embryos found to have a normal number of chromosomes (euploid) through PGS/PGT-A testing are held for subsequent transfer to the uterus in a later Frozen Embryo Transfer (FET) cycle. This “staggered” embryo transfer approach allows for more precise selection of the most viable embryos.

Sher Fertility Solutions’ Embryo Donation Services

Sher Fertility Solutions’ Embryo Donation services stand out due to their unparalleled expertise and comprehensive approach. Our experienced team of fertility specialists brings decades of collective knowledge to every case, ensuring that each patient receives the highest standard of care.

• Dr. Geoffrey Sher and Dr. Drew Tortoriello are renowned experts in the field of Embryo Donation at Sher Fertility Solutions (SFS). Dr. Sher, with over 40 years of experience in reproductive medicine, is a pioneer in the IVF field and has been instrumental in developing many groundbreaking techniques. He introduced the concept of Embryo Banking/Stockpiling, which offers an alternative to traditional IVF with egg donation for older women and those with diminished ovarian reserve.
• Dr. Tortoriello, serving as the medical director at SFS, collaborates closely with Dr. Sher. Together, they have over 55 years of combined clinical and academic experience in Reproductive Medicine. Their expertise in Embryo Donation is enhanced by their innovative use of Preimplantation Genetic Testing (PGT-a/PGS-a), a technique they were among the first to introduce clinically in 2005. This advanced method allows for the assessment of all 23 pairs of an embryo’s chromosomes, significantly improving the success rates of embryo transfers and providing patients with more reliable options in their fertility journey.

At Sher Fertility Solutions, we prioritize not only the medical aspects but also the emotional well-being of our patients. Our comprehensive donor screening process goes beyond standard medical checks, ensuring that you have access to high-quality embryos from thoroughly vetted donors. We understand that every journey to parenthood is unique, which is why we offer personalized treatment plans tailored to your specific needs and circumstances. Book a consultation with Sher Fertility Solutions for your embryo donation needs, and benefit from our consistently high success rates, which are a testament to our expertise, advanced techniques, and unwavering commitment to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood.

Frequently Asked Questions