Comparison of pregnancy outcome following frozen embryo transfer (ET) in a gestational carrier program according to source of the oocytes.

PURPOSE

To determine any differences in pregnancy rates if frozen-thawed embryos are transferred to a gestational carrier if the source of oocytes came from infertile women trying to conceive vs a paid egg donor.

METHODS

Gestational carriers were used because of uterine problems or health issues. If there was adequate ovarian egg reserve, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation followed by oocyte retrieval was performed on the infertile woman. Otherwise an egg donor was used.

RESULTS

No differences in clinical and ongoing delivered pregnancy rates were found but a trend for higher implantation rates in the paid donors was evident.

CONCLUSIONS

The trend for higher implantation rates when a paid donor was the source of oocytes may be age-related (35.9 for infertile women vs 29.5 for paid donors). The pregnancy results with frozen embryos were sufficient to allow women to proceed with oocyte retrieval if time is of the essence even if a gestational carrier has not as yet been found.