Donor Options

Whichever donor option you choose, be aware that ALL donors must complete the screening required by Albany IVF.

Anonymous Donor

Our egg donor registry contains extensive information about the donor’s physical characteristics – height, weight, hair color and type, body build, and blood type – ethnic background, motivation to become a donor, education, occupation, special interests and other relevant data.

Known Donor

While the ethical and psychological issues are more complex, a recipient may have a relative, friend or acquaintance willing to serve as an egg donor. We offer this option with the understanding that known donors must participate in the same screening processes required of anonymous donors. These criteria have been established by the New York State Department of Health and the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM).

Splitting Donors (split/shared cycle)

This option involves the stimulation of one donor who may produce enough eggs for two recipients during one stimulation attempt. While shared cycles reduce per cycle costs for each recipient, coordination of care and cycle complexity is increased. Cycle sharing does not guarantee there will be enough mature eggs during retrieval to serve both recipient parties.

The donor must produce eight or more mature eggs to proceed with transfers on both recipients. With shared cycles, there is a primary and secondary recipient. Each recipient will decide in advance whether she chooses to be a primary or secondary recipient. If there are fewer than eight mature eggs, the primary recipient will receive all the eggs and will be responsible for the costs of a full donor egg cycle including the donor’s medications. The secondary recipient’s cycle will be cancelled at that time and she will only be responsible for fees incurred by her to this point, including costs of her own blood work, ultrasounds and medications.