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Risk and Complications Associated with Egg Donation

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Principles of Oocyte and Embryo Donation

Abstract

Oocyte donation has been practiced for more than two decades and currently has wide indications. This has led to an increased demand and a continuous growth of oocyte donation cycles worldwide. Although serious short-term complications are expected to occur at a relatively low rate, it is universally recognized that ovarian stimulation and oocyte retrieval might involve significant inconvenience and discomfort, as well as risk of injury to the donor.

The short-term risk complications have a defined timeline which helps in their correct differential diagnosis. Significant intra-abdominal bleeding is detected during the first 24 h after oocyte retrieval and prompts close observation or surgical exploration. Smaller-scale, self-limiting intraperitoneal bleeding causes persistent lower abdominal pain during the first few days and might be detected with transvaginal ultrasound scanning. Other potential complications such as adnexal torsion or pelvic infections rarely occur during the first week after oocyte retrieval. In contrast, the symptoms of an early-onset ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) usually appear 3–9 days after hCG administration and can persist up to 10–12 days afterward. Despite their young age and potentially high ovarian response, donors appear to have lower probabilities of developing OHSS due to the absence of subsequent pregnancy. Nevertheless, cases involving oocyte donors with severe early-onset OHSS have been reported in the literature.

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  1. Fertility Center Mallorca, Av. Picasso 54, Palma de Mallorca, 07014, Spain

    Daniel Bodri M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.

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  1. Daniel Bodri M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Daniel Bodri M.D., M.Sc., Ph.D. .

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  1. , Center for Women’s Reproductive Care, Columbia University, 1790 Broadway, New York, 10019, New York, USA

    Mark V. Sauer

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Bodri, D. (2013). Risk and Complications Associated with Egg Donation. In: Sauer, M. (eds) Principles of Oocyte and Embryo Donation. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-2392-7_16

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