Pregnancy established in an infertile patient after transfer of a donated embryo fertilised in vitro

Abstract

In vitro fertilisation after stimulation of the ovulatory cycle has led to successful pregnancy. If more oocytes are recovered than are needed they may be left unfertilised, preserved, or donated to a recipient couple from whom oocytes cannot be obtained. A case of human pregnancy initiated by transfer of a donated embryo fertilised in vitro is reported. The donor was a 42 year old woman with primary infertility from whom six follicles were aspirated after stimulation of the ovulatory cycle. The recipient was a 38 year old infertile woman who had undergone several unsuccessful attempts for artificial insemination from a donor. Five oocytes were recovered from the donor's six follicles, four of which were inseminated with spermatozoa of the donor's husband and the fifth with a frozen sample of semen. Three of the four embryos fertilised by her husband were returned to the donor and the fifth was transferred to the recipient. No pregnancy was recorded in the donor, but pregnancy was confirmed in the recipient, though spontaneous abortion occurred after 10 weeks. This case will give useful information for further study of in vitro fertilisation, but also raises many ethical issues.

KIE: Australian researchers report achieving a pregnancy using in vitro fertilization and transfer of a donated embryo. The recipient, whose husband was infertile, became pregnant after receiving a donor ovum fertilized with donor sperm. The ovum donor, also under treatment for infertility, failed to conceive after three ova fertilized by her husband's sperm were re-implanted. The procedures used in the treatment of both women are outlined, and the possible reasons for the recipient's spontaneous abortion and the donor's failure to conceive are discussed. Also touched upon are the ethical, legal, and psychological implications of using donor material to achieve pregnancy.