Using frozen donor eggs is an excellent option for many patients, providing a very high probability for pregnancy at an affordable price. Using frozen donor eggs is a somewhat simpler process than alternative options, such as using fresh donor eggs. The main benefits of using frozen donor eggs are convenience, timing, and cost.

Donor Nexus’ frozen donor egg bank is located in California with options for shipping frozen eggs throughout the USA (excluding New York) and internationally. We are happy to help orchestrate shipping of frozen donor eggs to your desired clinic and work with your clinic to ensure all criteria are met prior to shipping. 

Frozen Donor Egg Cycle Overview

Since there is no need to synchronize cycles with a donor, the frozen egg transfer can be done at a time that is most convenient for the intended parents. This means there is less time spent waiting and the cycle can begin almost immediately. Typically a fresh egg cycle takes 2 to 4 months whereas a frozen egg cycle only takes 6 to 8 weeks. Additionally, frozen donor eggs are available instantly and can typically be sent to the intended parent(s) chosen fertility clinic if requested.

How Do Frozen Donor Egg Cycles Work?

All of our frozen donor eggs are from proven, positive donors whose fresh cycles resulted in positive pregnancies. After you choose a donor who has frozen eggs available, we will thaw until we have at least six viable eggs. The number of donor eggs thawed are dependent on the number of donor eggs available and the number of eggs you request. Next, the thawed donor eggs are fertilized by ICSI with the designated sperm to create embryos. The embryos are grown in our laboratory to maturity and then transferred into the prospective mother or designated gestational carrier. Surplus embryos can be frozen for future use. Intended Parents are guaranteed 1 blastocyst embryo per cohort of eggs. In the rare circumstance that a couple receives less than six viable eggs or has fewer than one embryo available for transfer, they may receive a full or partial refund if pregnancy does not occur.

Egg Vitrification

The eggs are ‘frozen’ using the most advanced method currently available: vitrification. Although most eggs are used within months or years of being frozen, they are viable for decades at this temperature. The vitrification process is carried out by the experienced team of physicians at HRC Fertility in Newport Beach, California. The laboratory team in Newport Beach has been working with the vitrification process since its introduction into the fertility laboratory and is among the most experienced teams in the world. Their superior expertise and experience with this technique allows Donor Nexus to confidently offer frozen donor eggs to our patients with excellent results.

Options for Cycling A Fresh Egg Donor

If there are no frozen eggs available that the recipient is interested in, the recipient can pick a fresh egg donor. Donor Nexus will cycle the egg donor, freeze her eggs and ship either 1 cohort fo eggs or all of the eggs the donor retrieves (on average 16-22). The cost to ship 1 cohort of eggs from a fresh egg donor starts at $22,000 USD. The cost to ship all of the eggs from a fresh donor starts at $40,000 USD. The exact cost depends on the specific donor’s compensation and location. This process takes a bit longer since we have to screen the egg donor and schedule her IVF cycle. Usually the process takes 3-5 months from the time you choose the egg donor to when the eggs arrive at your designated fertility clinic. Please note: depending on the specific regulations and laws in your country, the process can take longer (ie. if your country requires a second confirmatory negative HIV blood test on the egg donor 6 months after egg retrieval). 

Frozen Donor Egg Success Rates

With positive pregnancy rates above 65%, our frozen donor egg program attracts patients from around the world. At Donor Nexus, we are dedicated to making high quality egg donation treatments accessible to all families.