title: Characterizing the practice of oocyte donation: a web-based international survey.
abstract: Although oocyte donation is widely practised, few interventions in this field are evidence based. The objective of this study was to describe the current practices for evaluation and treatment of oocyte donors and recipients worldwide. Through an IVF-focused website, an internet-based survey was addressed to physicians in IVF units worldwide. A total of 161 units responded, reflecting 14,890 annual oocyte donation cycles. The majority (83.3%) of centres perform genetic testing for oocyte donors, and in 94.6% of cycles, donors are <35 years old. Anonymous donors are most commonly used (91.3%) and 95.8% are fresh donations. In 51.4% of donor cycles, the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol is used, and in 29.8% of these cycles, a GnRH agonist is prescribed for the ovulatory trigger. Recipient pituitary suppression is used in 76.7% of cycles, and oral oestrogen (86.4%) and vaginal progesterone (73.8%) are the preferred routes of administration for endometrial preparation. In the majority (51.5%) of cycles, a minimum endometrial thickness of ≥ 7 mm is required. This study reflects a relative lack of homogeneity in management of oocyte donors and recipients and highlights the need for developing a consensus in the practice of oocyte donation based upon evidence-based medicine.
authors.affiliation: IVF Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Edith Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel. Electronic address: a_w@zahav.net.il.
authors.forename: Ariel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weissman
authors.affiliation: IVF Centre, The Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Happy Valley, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Milton
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Leong
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Mark V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.affiliation: The Reproductive Medicine Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Affiliated to the Hebrew University, Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Zeev
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Shoham
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004717:Endometrium / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005260:Female; D005820:Genetic Testing; D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000819:agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D007987:Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone; D011374:Progesterone
keywords: endometrial preparation; endometrium; oestrogen; oocyte donation; progesterone