Embryo donation: a programmed approach.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the establishment of an embryo donation program using a large oocyte donor registry to produce embryos.


METHODS
Descriptive study.


METHODS
A university-based practice.


METHODS
Embryos were obtained either through traditional donation from couples who underwent IVF-ET (n = 8) or through ovum donation (n = 15) with embryos produced by the program. In select cases, ovum donors were inseminated either with donor sperm selected following an advance directive from the patient or couple (n = 13) or with sperm designated by an IVF medical advisory board (n = 11).


METHODS
Donated embryos or donor oocyte/donor sperm embryos were provided to patients with backgrounds and physical attributes compatible with the embryonic phenotype. In some of the cycles, fresh ET was performed, with embryos shared among two, three, or four couples (n = 18); in other cycles, embryos were cryopreserved and transferred later (n = 21).


METHODS
Clinical and ongoing-delivered pregnancy rates.


RESULTS
The mean (+/-SD) numbers of embryos for cycles in which fresh ET and frozen ET was performed were 3.1+/-0.7 (range, 2-5) and 3.6+/-0.2 (range, 3-5), respectively. The clinical and ongoing-delivered pregnancy rates were 44.4% (8/18) and 33.3% (6/18), respectively, for cycles in which fresh ET was performed and 57.1% (12/21) and 47.6% (10/21), respectively, for cycles in which frozen ET was performed.


CONCLUSIONS
Embryo donation is an alternative approach to assisted reproduction that meets the needs of single and lesbian women as well as older and less affluent couples. It is a cost-effective and efficacious means of achieving pregnancy.
Lindheim
S R
SR
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA.
Sauer
M V
MV
D015925:Cryopreservation; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007316:Insemination, Artificial, Heterologous; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D012042:Registries