Egg and sperm donation

For some people, building a family requires the use of donor eggs or donor sperm. Whether you need an egg donation and/or sperm donation, Miacleo supports you through every step of the process: from selecting a donor bank, to completing the medical and administrative steps, and through the treatment itself.

Who can use donor gametes?

The use of donor eggs or donor sperm may be considered in a variety of situations.

Egg donation may be recommended for women with a very low or depleted ovarian reserve, those who have experienced premature menopause or undergone removal of the ovaries, those whose eggs have not resulted in viable embryos after multiple IVF cycles, as well as for male couples wishing to conceive with the help of a gestational carrier. Sperm donation may be indicated in cases of azoospermia, meaning the complete absence of sperm in the ejaculate, or severely impaired sperm parameters that prevent fertilization. It is also an option for single-parent family-building journeys and for female couples wishing to conceive without a male partner.

Sperm Donation

IMPORTANT : WE DO NOT PERFORM DIRECTED SPERM DONATION. The sperm used at Miacleo Fertility Clinic comes exclusively from sperm banks that are inspected and comply with Health Canada standards. Each donor undergoes thorough screening before being made available, including genetic testing, infectious disease screening, psychological evaluation, and a detailed family medical history review. In Canada, sperm is distributed through licensed distributors rather than directly through sperm banks. These distributors provide access to donors from several international banks and ensure that each donor meets the criteria required for distribution in Canada. Our main distributors are Can-Am Cryoservices, Canada Cryobank, and Xytex Canada; Origin Sperm Bank is also available, with a more limited selection. We recommend visiting their websites directly to view the donors available in Canada.
SPERM WASHED OR UNWASHED: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE? Unwashed sample: This sample is frozen directly by the sperm bank in its original seminal fluid. Washing at the clinic is required to remove the seminal fluid before use. In some cases, this process may affect the quality of the sample, and this potential impact is not covered by the sperm bank. At distributors, this type of sample is generally referred to as “unwashed,” “intracervical insemination” (ICI), or ICI sample. Washed sample: This sample is prepared and frozen directly by the sperm bank, meaning it is ready for use without requiring additional washing. It is generally referred to as “washed,” “intrauterine insemination” (IUI), or IUI sample.

Egg Donation

Egg donation involves a woman, the donor, undergoing an ovarian stimulation protocol to produce multiple eggs. These eggs are then retrieved and fertilized in the laboratory with sperm from the recipient’s partner or a donor. The resulting embryos are transferred into the recipient’s uterus or frozen for the recipient’s future use.

Anonymous donation or directed donation

Donation can be anonymous: the donor and recipient do not know each other, and identifying information is not shared. It can also be directed, meaning the donor is someone known to the recipient, such as a friend, sister, or relative. Both types of donation are medically regulated and involve rigorous follow-up.

In both cases, the donor must meet specific medical criteria. She is generally 35 years old or younger, has a good ovarian reserve, and is in overall good health. Exceptions may be considered in certain specific situations, at the physician’s discretion.

Our partner egg banks

Miacleo is accredited to work with several recognized egg banks: Cryos International, Fairfax Egg Bank (FFX), Global Gamete Bank, Aphrodite Egg Bank, Asian Egg Bank, and Donor Egg Bank USA (DEBUSA).

These banks follow strict donor selection protocols and provide detailed donor profiles to help you make an informed decision.

How does the treatment process work for the recipient?

While the donor undergoes ovarian stimulation, the recipient prepares her endometrium through hormone therapy to make it receptive to the embryo. The recipient will therefore receive hormonal treatments designed to prepare the uterine lining and optimize the conditions for embryo implantation.

Q: Is gamete donation safe for the donor?

A: Yes, when performed under rigorous medical supervision. Egg donors are monitored throughout their ovarian stimulation protocol, and egg retrieval is performed in a safe surgical setting. As with any medical procedure, risks exist and are explained to the donor during her own consultation.

Q: How long does it take to receive gametes from a bank?

A: Timelines vary depending on the bank, donor availability, and transportation requirements. Some shipments can be arranged within a few weeks, while others require more advance planning. Your physician will incorporate these timelines into your treatment plan from the beginning.

Q: Is gamete donation covered by RAMQ?

A: Some treatments involving donor gametes may be partially covered depending on current eligibility criteria. Donor eggs purchased from an egg bank are not covered by RAMQ, although the IVF cycle itself may be covered in certain situations. Donor sperm is covered when used for RAMQ-covered procedures, such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) or IVF.

Our administrative team can review the expected costs with you before treatment begins. If you have additional questions regarding egg and sperm donation, please contact our laboratory team at : embryologie@miacleo.com or our medical biology team at biologie.medicale@miacleo.com. Our team will be happy to get back to you as soon as possible.

Ready to take the first steps?