Purpose of the Program

The use of anonymously donated sperm for initiation of pregnancy has been common practice in the United States for many years.  More recently, the advent of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer has allowed development of programs for the use of donated oocytes (eggs).  In the North Carolina Center for Reproductive Medicine (NCCRM) facility, both anonymous and known donors are used.  The evaluation and treatment process is identical for both. 

     For Recipeint Couples:

        Please download, print, fill out and send in the Donor Egg Recipient Form to:
        NCCRM - Donor Program
        400 Ashville Ave. Suite 200
        Cary, NC 27518

        For Potential Egg Donors:

        Please download, print, fill out and send in the Donor Egg Application/Screening  Form 
       and the FDA Questionnaire to: 

        NCCRM-Donor Program
        400 Ashville Ave. Ste. 200
        Cary, North Carolina 27518
        (If you do not have access to a printer, please call 800-933-7202 and ask to have the forms sent to you.)

Process of Becoming an Egg Donor:

• After we receive your donor screening form, we will contact you and set up an appointment for you to meet with one of the NCCRM physicians and our donor/recipient Nurse Coordinator to have blood testing done.  It will be necessary for you to undergo a history and physical examination and be tested for certain sexually and genetically transmitted diseases.  Specifically, the oocyte donor would be tested for HIV (AIDS), hepatitis and syphilis.  Genetic testing would include testing for cystic fibrosis, as well as several other diseases that can be transmitted as recessive genetic characteristics.  The results of testing will be made available to you. 
• You will be asked to consult with a psychiatrist or a psychologist to help determine your suitability as a donor.  We will arrange the appropriate appointments for you.
• Accepted donors will be required to sign consent forms, a sample of which is enclosed.
• Complete anonymity between the recipient and the donor will be maintained.
• All oocyte donors will be required to have health insurance. 

Procedure for Obtaining Donated Eggs

The donor’s ovaries will be inactivated temporarily using a drug called Lupron, which induces a temporary state resembling menopause.  Lupron is given daily by injection, usually by the individual herself.  Once the ovaries are inactivated, the donor is treated with fertility drugs called gonadatropins ( ie. Follistim, Gonal F, Repronex, Pergonal, microdose Ovidrel, and Pregnyl).  The donor will be on gonadatropins for 10 to 12 days.  This will induce both ovaries to develop as many  follicles as possible so that multiple eggs will be obtained at the time of egg aspiration.  It is necessary to monitor administration of these drugs by frequent blood test and ultrasound examination. 

Egg aspiration is carried out in the out-patient surgery unit at NCCRM utilizing intravenous sedation.  Eggs are aspirated by inserting a needle through the vaginal wall and guiding the needle into the follicles containing eggs by use of ultrasound.  The procedure usually requires 10 to 15 minutes for the actual aspiration.  The procedure is relatively painless, although some discomfort may be experienced after the procedure and/or during the subsequent 48-72 hours. 

Once the eggs are obtained, they are fertilized with sperm from the husband of the recipient couple.  After developing for 48 hours, the fertilized eggs, now called embryos, are placed in the uterus of the wife of the recipient couple.  The donor relinquishes all claim to eggs or resulting embryos or children prior to becoming an egg donor. 

The time involvement in becoming an egg donor consists of the initial visit to the NCCRM facility, followed by daily visits to obtain blood for monitoring hormone levels in order to adjust the dose of medication.  Also, vaginal ultrasounds will be done to examine the ovaries and monitor the follicular development.  There may be times when you will need to be monitored on a daily basis.  On the day of egg aspiration, the donor will not be able to carry out her usual activity, however, most are able to return to normal activities the next day.   

Risk of Being an Egg Donor

•  With the use of fertility drugs , it is possible to have excessive enlargement of the ovaries (ovarian hyperstimulation).  It is possible that it could be to the extent that a laparotomy or incision in the abdomen may become necessary.  This is a very rare complication. 
• The risk of egg aspiration includes hemorrhage for the puncture site in the ovary or infection.  Both of these are extremely rare, but should they occur, it might be necessary to carry out a laparotomy (incision) of the abdomen.  Additionally, while extremely rare, there is a possibility of permanent infertility as a result of infection or hemorrhage. 
• You will be paid a fee of $3000.00 by the recipient (through NCCRM) for your participation in this program if you undergo egg aspiration.  Approximately 5% of women do not respond appropriately to ovarian stimulation and do not make it to egg aspiration.  In this event, you would be paid a pro-rated amount for your participation. 
• Oocyte (egg) donors are required to sign a consent form before entering the process. One of the NCCRM physicians and the donor/recipient Nurse Coordinator will discuss this process in more detail at the time of your visit.  If you're interested in becoming an egg donor, please download the Egg Donor Application/Screening Form.  Fill it out and send it back to NCCRM.  

Additional Information for Egg Donors

Donors must meet our height/weight criteria (see chart below) to assure that the medications work optimally, be available for multiple morning appointments for screening and monitoring, and must have someone who can provide transportation and care for them on the day of the egg retrieval process.