Egg Donation at PTA Fertility Centre
Since 1999, PTA Fertility Centre has operated one of South Africa's most established egg donation programmes. Egg donation offers hope to women who cannot conceive using their own eggs, providing access to young, healthy donor eggs that significantly improve the chances of pregnancy.
Our programme is built on ethical principles, thorough donor screening, and compassionate support for both donors and recipients.
Who Needs Egg Donation?
- Premature ovarian insufficiency (early menopause) — Women whose ovaries have stopped functioning before age 40
- Diminished ovarian reserve — Very low egg numbers or poor egg quality despite stimulation
- Previous cancer treatment — Chemotherapy or radiation that has damaged the ovaries
- Genetic conditions — Carriers of serious genetic diseases who wish to avoid passing them to offspring
- Repeated IVF failure — Multiple unsuccessful cycles suggesting egg quality issues
- Advanced maternal age — Women over 42-43 where own egg IVF has very low success
- Same-sex male couples — Via surrogacy with donor eggs
- Turner syndrome — Women born without functional ovaries
Anonymous vs Known Donors
Anonymous Donation
South African law (National Health Act, Regulations Relating to Artificial Fertilisation) stipulates that gamete donation is anonymous. This means:
- Recipients cannot know the donor's identity
- Donors cannot know the recipient's identity
- Donor-conceived children cannot access identifying information about the donor
- Non-identifying information (physical characteristics, education, interests) is provided for matching
Known Donation
Known donation (using a friend or family member's eggs) is permitted under South African law with specific requirements:
- The donor must undergo full medical and psychological screening
- Independent counselling for both parties
- Legal agreements must be in place
- The child is legally the child of the birth mother regardless of genetic relationship
The Egg Donation Process
For Recipients
- Consultation — Assessment of your medical history and treatment planning
- Donor selection — Choose a donor based on physical characteristics, blood group, education, and interests
- Synchronisation — Your cycle is prepared with hormone therapy to develop the uterine lining
- Donor stimulation — The donor undergoes ovarian stimulation and egg retrieval
- Fertilisation — Donor eggs are fertilised with your partner's sperm (or donor sperm)
- Embryo transfer — The best embryo is transferred to your prepared uterus
- Pregnancy test — Blood test 12-14 days after transfer
Choosing a Donor
We maintain a diverse database of screened donors. Recipients can view non-identifying profiles including:
- Physical characteristics (height, weight, hair colour, eye colour, skin tone)
- Blood group
- Educational background
- Interests and hobbies
- Family medical history
- Reason for donating
Donor Screening
All egg donors undergo comprehensive screening including:
- Medical history and physical examination
- Psychological assessment and counselling
- Blood tests: HIV, Hepatitis B & C, Syphilis, CMV
- Genetic screening (karyotype, cystic fibrosis carrier status)
- Ovarian reserve assessment (AMH, antral follicle count)
- Family history evaluation