Fresh Versus Frozen

Immediately after you donate your eggs, there are two possibilities:

1. A doctor at Bluegrass Fertility Center attempts fertilization immediately
2. Laboratory specialists as Bluegrass Fertility Center freeze the eggs and fertilization is attempted at a later time

This is the only difference between fresh egg donation – where fertilization is attempted immediately – and frozen egg donation – where the eggs are frozen for later use. Studies have shown that there is no difference in the fertility rate between fresh eggs and frozen eggs.

Fresh Egg Donation

Fresh egg donation is historically how donor eggs have been used, and until 2005 was the only option available. Fresh egg donation is still the method most commonly used, as many agencies lack egg freezing technology and expertise.

In the fresh egg donation process, your menstrual cycle is matched to the recipient’s cycle. Later, at the appropriate time, you travel to the recipient’s location to complete the donation. Fertilization is attempted immediately.

Fresh egg donation creates some logistical challenges. First, your cycle must match the recipient’s cycle. This is accomplished with traditional birth control methods but can sometimes be unpredictable. Second, the donor must arrange to travel to the recipient at the exact right time. This puts the entire process at the mercy of airlines, weather, and the other vagaries of long distance travel. Third, if for whatever reason fertilization does not occur, the entire process must be repeated, either with the same donor or a different one.

Frozen Egg Donation

In 2005, the physicians of The World Egg Bank perfected egg freezing/thawing. By removing the need ot match the timing between the donor and recipient, many of the logistical issues in the fresh egg process are no longer applicable.

Frozen egg donation is the preferred process because:

1. It eliminates the need for cycle synchronization between donor and recipient
2. It does not require the donor to travel to complete the donation.
3. It Permits the recipient to receive tested mature eggs immediately and to fertilize and implant them depending only on her own schedule.

Because studies have shown that using fresh eggs and frozen eggs has no material impact on the likelihood of achieving fertilization, this is the method most frequently used by The World Egg Bank.