Oocyte donation: clinical and practical aspects

Oocyte donation is an effective treatment modality for women lacking functi oning ovaries, but also for women in whom repetitive in-vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles did not result in the development of adequate number of oocyt es as well as for those at risk of transmitting genetic diseases. In women with ovarian failure, artificial menstrual cycles are required in order to produce endometrial growth and differentiation similar to that in women wit h normal ovarian function. Synchronization of donor's and recipient's cycle s is mandatory, since the window of implantation is rather limited. The exc ellent results of oocyte donation treatment confirm that this assisted repr oduction technique can provide a novel approach for the treatment of infert ility in these groups of patients. Nevertheless, pregnancies in women of ad vanced reproductive age are associated with significantly more obstetrical complications and higher perinatal morbidity and mortality rates. Furthermo re, aging parents have considerably higher chances to develop serious or li fe-threatening diseases. Thus, careful medical screening and extensive coun selling is mandatory, taking into account the psychosocial ramifications of the procedure and, especially, the best interest of the child-to-be. (C) 2 000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.