What is a Donor Embryo Program?
A Donor Embryo Program involves the use of embryos created using both donor eggs and donor sperm. These embryos are fertilized and developed in a lab through IVF, and then transferred into the uterus of the intended recipient.
This treatment is ideal for couples or individuals who:
- Cannot produce viable eggs or sperm
- Have failed multiple IVF cycles
- Carry genetic disorders they don’t wish to pass on
- Are single women or same-sex couples choosing third-party reproduction
At Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics, we understand that some individuals and couples may need both egg and sperm from donors to achieve pregnancy. Our Donor Embryo Program in Delhi is designed to offer hope to those struggling with severe fertility challenges. We offer affordable donor embryo treatment in Delhi with strict legal, ethical, and medical guidelines.
Recommendation for Donor Embryo IVF
The Donor Embryo option is recommended for:
- Women with poor egg quality or premature ovarian failure
- Men with non-obstructive azoospermia or failed sperm retrieval
- Couples with repeated IVF/ICSI failures
- Those carrying inheritable genetic disorders
- Older couples with diminished reproductive potential
- Single women desiring parenthood without a partner
- Couples seeking anonymous embryo donation in India
Procedure for Donor Embryo IVF - Step-by-Step
Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics’s Donor Embryo IVF process is comprehensive, legal, and highly individualized. Below is a comprehensive breakdown of the process:
Step 01
Evaluation of the recipient
Before starting the cycle, the recipient undergoes a complete medical and reproductive health assessment to confirm readiness for pregnancy:
- Medical history review: Includes age, menstrual cycle, past pregnancies or miscarriages, surgeries, and any chronic health conditions.
- Hormonal profile: FSH, LH, estradiol, AMH, TSH, prolactin, and vitamin D levels.
- Blood work: Includes CBC, blood sugar levels, viral markers (HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis), and blood group typing.
- Pelvic ultrasound: To check the uterus, endometrial lining, and ovaries.
- Uterine cavity assessment: A saline sonography or hysteroscopy may be done to detect polyps, adhesions, or other abnormalities.
- Fitness for pregnancy: Cardiac, metabolic, or other system checks if recipient is above 38 or has comorbidities.
Only when the uterus is confirmed healthy and hormonally responsive do we proceed to matching and preparation.
Step 02
Evaluation and selection of donors
Two donors are involved: an egg donor and a sperm donor, selected through registered and accredited banks:
Egg donor evaluation:
- Age between 21–35 years.
- Regular menstrual cycles, healthy BMI, and no history of infertility.
- Proven fertility (prior live births preferred).
- Screened for infectious diseases, including:
- HIV, Hepatitis B & C, VDRL, CMV, and Rubella.
- Screened for genetic disorders (Thalassemia, SMA, CF, etc.).
- Hormonal profile (AMH, FSH, LH, Estradiol).
- Ultrasound for ovarian reserve and follicular count.
- Psychological evaluation to ensure informed and voluntary participation.
Sperm donor evaluation:
- Age between 21–45 years.
- Proven sperm quality (volume, motility, morphology).
- Screened for infections and STDs.
- Genetic testing and semen cryopreservation done in advance.
- Anonymous and non-commercial, per ICMR regulations.
Matching is done based on physical traits, blood group, and recipient preferences, while maintaining complete anonymity.
Step 03
Psychological and legal counselling
Mandatory pre-treatment counselling is provided by trained fertility counsellors:
- For recipients: Emotional preparation, expectations, long-term considerations, and disclosure (to child/family) are discussed.
- For donors: Informed consent, emotional readiness, and understanding of anonymity are ensured.
We help recipients make informed decisions and prepare emotionally for the unique path of third-party reproduction.
Step 04
Consent process
Legal and ethical requirements include:
- Written, signed informed consent from:
- The egg donor
- The sperm donor (via sperm bank)
- The recipient woman or couple
- All documentation is handled as per the ART Act 2021 and ICMR guidelines in India.
- Donor identity remains anonymous and confidential. Recipients are also bound by ethical use policies regarding resulting embryos.
Step 05
Ovarian stimulation of the egg donor
The egg donor is placed on a controlled ovarian stimulation protocol to develop multiple mature eggs:
- Daily subcutaneous injections of gonadotropins (FSH/LH) for 9–12 days.
- Monitoring with serial ultrasounds and estradiol blood levels every 2–3 days.
- Adjustment of dosage based on follicular response.
- Final maturation triggered with hCG injection once follicles reach 18–20 mm.
This ensures safe stimulation and maximizes egg yield.
Step 06
Oocyte retrieval (egg collection)
- Done 34–36 hours after the trigger injection.
- Performed as a day-care procedure under mild anesthesia or sedation.
- Eggs are aspirated using a fine needle guided by transvaginal ultrasound.
- The donor is monitored for 2–3 hours post-procedure and then discharged.
- On average, 07 mature eggs are retrieved per cycle.
Step 07
Endometrial preparation of the recipient
While the donor undergoes stimulation, the recipient’s uterus is synchronously prepared to receive the embryo:
- Oral or injectable estrogen is given to grow the endometrial lining.
- After 10–12 days, a transvaginal ultrasound confirms lining thickness (ideal: ≥8 mm).
- If adequate, progesterone support is added to mimic natural cycle hormone levels.
- The embryo transfer date is matched exactly with the donor egg retrieval and fertilization timeline.
The goal is to ensure the uterus is at its most receptive stage during embryo transfer.
Step 08
IVF and embryo development
- The donor eggs are fertilized in the embryology lab using donor sperm via IVF or ICSI (intracytoplasmic sperm injection).
- Fertilized eggs are cultured for 3–5 days, and monitored for quality, division, and development.
- Only the top-grade embryos (based on morphology and cell structure) are selected for transfer.
- Remaining embryos may be cryopreserved for future use with recipient’s consent.
Step 09
Embryo transfer
- A selected embryo (usually 1 or 2) is transferred into the recipient’s uterus using a thin catheter.
- It’s a painless, non-surgical procedure requiring no anesthesia.
- The entire process takes less than 15 minutes, guided by ultrasound.
- After resting briefly, the recipient can go home the same day.
- Luteal support (progesterone, estrogen) continues post-transfer to support implantation.
Step 10
Pregnancy test and follow-up
- A beta-hCG blood test is done 12–14 days post-transfer to confirm pregnancy.
- If positive, an early scan is scheduled after 2 weeks to confirm heartbeat and viability.
- If negative, the case is reviewed and future steps (frozen embryo transfer, repeat cycle) are discussed with sensitivity and care.
Throughout the two-week wait, our team provides emotional guidance, lifestyle tips, and round-the-clock support.
Why choose Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics?
At Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics, we design each treatment plan around your specific needs and medical history.
With over 40+ years of combined experience and more than 10,000 healthy deliveries, our team is committed to helping you achieve your dream of parenthood with skill, care, and compassion.
Here’s what makes Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics one of the top 5 IVF and fertility centres in Delhi:
Each treatment is designed specifically around your medical history, goals, and emotional needs.
Our doctors and embryologists are internationally accredited and bring decades of hands-on fertility experience to every case.
We explain everything clearly—no hidden fees, no unnecessary procedures.
Get access to the best care at a cost that respects your budget.
From lab facilities to diagnostic equipment, we use the latest in reproductive science to increase your chances of success.
Whether you’re just starting out or seeking a second opinion, Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics is here to guide you every step of the way, with experience you can trust, and care you can feel.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Donor Egg IVF, only the egg is donated and fertilized with the intended father’s or donor’s sperm.
In Donor Embryo IVF, both the egg and sperm are from donors, and the fully formed embryo is transferred into the recipient’s uterus.
It’s ideal for:
- Women with poor egg quality or early menopause
- Men with no sperm production (non-obstructive azoospermia)
- Couples with failed IVF cycles or repeated miscarriages
- People with genetic diseases they don’t want to pass on
- Single women or same-sex couples seeking parenthood
Yes. Under the ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) Act, embryo donation is allowed in India through anonymous and non-commercial means. Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics follows all legal and ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) guidelines for donor selection, consent, and privacy.
No. Donor identity is strictly confidential and anonymous. You can select donor profiles based on:
- Physical characteristics (height, skin tone, eye color)
- Blood type
- Educational background
- Medical history
Yes. All donor gametes are screened thoroughly for:
- Infectious diseases (HIV, Hepatitis, Syphilis)
- Genetic disorders
- Fertility and physical health
- Embryos are created in a high-quality lab and only healthy, top-grade embryos are used.
Success rates depend on the age of the recipient and the quality of the embryo. On average:
- 50%–65% success per cycle is seen with donor embryo IVFAt Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics, success is further improved with personalized care, endometrial preparation, and skilled embryo transfer.
Once the recipient is ready, the entire process-from selection to embryo transfer-can be completed within 4–6 weeks, depending on donor availability and cycle readiness.
Compared to other third-party options, Donor Embryo IVF is often more cost-effective, especially when both egg and sperm need to be sourced. Zemya IVF & Fertility Clinics provides affordable Donor Embryo programs in Delhi with complete transparency.
