Pregnancy outcomes following oocyte donation

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Medicine
• Obstetrics and Gynecology

Background:

• Oocyte donation (OD) is a vital assisted reproductive technology (ART) addressing infertility due to ovarian aging and follicle depletion.
• Its utilization has grown significantly over the past 30 years, making it a cornerstone of modern fertility treatments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review and appraise the safety of oocyte donation.
• To analyze short-term pregnancy outcomes associated with OD compared to other conception methods.

Main Methods:

• Systematic evaluation of current scientific evidence and literature.
• Comparative analysis of pregnancy outcomes between OD, in vitro fertilization (IVF) with autologous oocytes, and natural conception.

Main Results:

• OD pregnancies exhibit a higher incidence of hypertensive disorders, including preeclampsia.
• Increased risks of low birth weight, preterm birth, and obstetric emergencies are observed in OD pregnancies.
• These risks are evaluated in comparison to IVF with own eggs and natural pregnancies.

Conclusions:

• Oocyte donation pregnancies are associated with elevated maternal and fetal risks.
• Recommendations include single embryo transfer (SET) and prophylactic low-dose aspirin to mitigate these risks.
• Further research and careful management are crucial for optimizing OD safety.