Header: Brian D. Barnett, M.D. - Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility - Dallas IVF

Egg Donor In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Egg Donation in Plano at Dallas IVF


An important part of Dr. Barnett and Dr. Ku’s infertility practice is in vitro fertilization (IVF) using an egg donor. At Dallas IVF in Plano, Our Physicians have had a 70-80 percent pregnancy rate per transfer over the past several years, which is approximately 50 percent higher than the national average. Of those women who conceive, approximately 60 percent have had twins. Either known or anonymous egg donors can be used for this process. Dr. Ku and Dr. Barnett do not have their own 'pool' of anonymous egg donors to choose from at Dallas IVF. Rather, our staffwill refer you to one of several reputable egg donor agencies in Dallas where you will have an opportunity to choose from several dozen potential donors.

View Dallas IVF's Donor IVF Success Rates

Our physicians perform all of their egg donor in vitro fertilization retrievals at The Presbyterian Hospital of Plano. Dr. Barnett and Dr. Ku’s office is in a professional building attached to the hospital. Dallas IVF ’s high pregnancy rates are a result of the individualized care our physicians and staff offer to their patients and the expertise of the embryology staff at The Presbyterian Hospital Assisted Reproductive Technology Services (ARTS) Program.

Some common indications for necessity of an egg donor include:

  • Premature ovarian failure – Entering menopause prior to age 40.
  • Surgical or chemically induced menopause – Ovaries have been surgically removed or the woman has gone into early menopause because of chemotherapy or radiation treatments for cancer.
  • Natural menopause
  • Multiple unsuccessful IVF cycles – Lack of success conceiving despite multiple IVF cycles using the patient’s own eggs. This is often explained by poor embryo quality.
  • Age related decline in fertility or diminished ovarian reserve – Women who are no longer able to conceive with their own eggs, but have not entered into menopause. This group consists of women who do not respond well to fertility drugs.
  • Women who are carriers of genetic diseases - Women who do not wish to undergo IVF with PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis) .

back to top

The Egg Donor In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Process at Dallas IVF

The recipient mother (the woman who will carry the pregnancy) is placed on a hormone-controlled cycle with estrogen and progesterone. The egg donor undergoes an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle at Dallas IVF in Plano and has her eggs retrieved, then fertilized with the recipient husband's sperm. These cycles are coordinated with medications to allow synchronization between the egg donor and the recipient. By hormonally controlling the recipient's cycle, we can time her uterus to help accept the embryo successfully. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) will be used if there is male factor infertility. We usually transfer two blastocysts five days after the retrieval. Many patients are offered single embryo transfers to limit the risk of twins. We are able to maintain excellent pregnancy rates with single embryo transfers. Any healthy remaining blastocysts not transferred can be cryopreserved (frozen) for future use.

back to top

How Do I Pick an Egg Donor?

IVF egg donation at Dallas IVF can be accomplished using a known or anonymous egg donor. Known egg donors can include relations to the recipient, such as a younger sister or a cousin. Known donors can also include friends. If a woman does not have a known egg donor, or prefers to maintain complete anonymity with the donor, she can choose a donor through an agency. At Dallas IVF, we do not have our own ‘donor pool,’ but work closely with several agencies that can help pick an egg donor for you. There are advantages and disadvantages to using either a known or anonymous donor. When using an agency, couples have a very broad range of candidates to choose from.

back to top

The Egg Donation Process

Irrespective of whether a couple chooses a known or anonymous egg donor, the donor needs to meet the same screening criteria. The egg donor will automatically be excluded if they smoke cigarettes, have irregular menstrual cycles, are obese, have a history of a sexually transmitted or infectious disease, a poor lifestyle, have medical problems or have a family history that indicates a significant chance of passing a disease on to the offspring.

The screening process for the egg donor includes:

  • Completing a questionnaire
  • Interview
  • Psychological exam
  • Physical examination
  • Thorough medical screening (includes HIV, chlamydia, hepatitis, toxicology testing and more)

Once the recipient couple has been evaluated and accepted by Dr. Barnett or Dr. Ku, the egg donor will have her initial appointment scheduled with the doctor at Dallas IVF. Some recipients may require specific medical screening studies to be completed before they can be accepted.

back to top

Contact Us for Egg Donor In Vitro Fertilization at Dallas IVF

For further information about egg donor in vitro fertilization (IVF) and the process of egg donation, contact Dallas IVF in Plano today to schedule your appointment with either Dr. Brian D. Barnett or Dr. Lowell T. Ku.

back to top

Brian D. Barnett, MD
Lowell T. Ku, MD
Presbyterian Hospital of Plano
MOB 3, Suite 334
6124 West Parker Road
Plano, Texas 75093

Phone: (972) 981-8700
Fax: (972) 981-8708
MAP

Contact Dallas IVF today for more information about conceiving through IVF using egg donation in Plano at Dallas IVF.