Embryo donation consists of a transfer of embryos and thus is a family-building option for a selected group of couples in which the woman has premature ovarian failure or is a poor responder to traditional ovarian stimulation, and the man suffers from severe disturbances in gamete production.
Embryo donation may also be indicated for couples who are carriers of a hereditary disease which may cause significant morbidity in the child. However, many such couples will be able to use their own embryos in the future, thanks to advances in the field of preimplantation genetic diagnosis.
Cryopreservation of excess embryos is a widely practised part of assisted reproduction techniques in centres performing IVF cycles. Well-functioning cryopreservation systems have made it possible to replace only a small number of embryos at a time, and to freeze surplus embryos for future use as donation.
