IVF vs ICSI vs Egg Donation in India — Which Fertility Treatment is Right for CIS Patients?

One of the most frequent misconceptions that couples from Kazakhstan, Russia, and other Commonwealth of Independent States face before getting fertility treatments in India, especially if considering such procedures as IVF, ICSI, and egg donation IVF, is the difference between them and which is appropriate to choose in which case.

Here you can learn more about each type of treatment and find out which one will probably suit you best, as well as prepare yourself financially and mentally for the procedure.

IVF (In Vitro Fertilization): The Foundation

The conventional form of IVF (in vitro fertilization) is the most common type of assisted reproduction technique used around the world. In IVF, the female is injected with hormones to stimulate her ovaries to release several eggs at once. The eggs are collected through a minor operation, mixed with the sperm in a lab setting, and fertilized to develop embryos. An embryo is selected for transfer to the uterus.

When should IVF be done?

• When fallopian tubes are blocked
• After unexplained infertility after 1-2 years
• In mild-moderate endometriosis
• If polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) does not respond to ovulation induction
• When age-related infertility exists in females younger than 38 years with good ovarian reserve

IVF does not treat the problem of infertility due to men’s factors. In such cases, ICSI is advised.

ICSI — Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection: When Male Factor is Involved

ICSI is one type of IVF procedure, where a specific sperm is collected and injected into a mature egg with the help of a fine glass needle. Thereafter, the fertilized egg (embryo) is cultured and transferred just like in a regular IVF procedure.

ICSI is considered for patients facing

• Low sperm count (oligozoospermia)
• Low sperm motility (asthenozoospermia)
• Abnormal sperm morphology (teratozoospermia)
• History of unsuccessful fertilization in IVF cycles
• Sperm collected surgically (TESA/PESA/MESA) due to obstructive azoospermia
• Frozen sperm being used

A large number of IVF cycles done in India are through ICSI, as it offers higher chances of fertilization success, and it is suggested by doctors in all cases. It adds around ₹25,000 to ₹50,000 to basic IVF costs.

Egg Donation IVF — When Your Own Eggs Are Not the Best Option

Egg donation IVF is an assisted reproductive treatment where eggs from a young woman are used instead of the patient’s eggs during the treatment cycle. These eggs are fertilized by the partner’s or donor’s sperm, and the resulting embryo is transferred into the uterus. The woman carries the baby.

Egg donation is indicated in cases when:

• Ovarian reserves are inadequate (poor egg reserve, poor response to stimulation)
• Early ovarian failure or premature menopause
• Maternal age of more than 42 years
• Irrepeated failures with the use of one’s own eggs in IVF
• Genetic diseases that the woman wants to avoid passing onto the child
• Women who had been exposed to radiation and/or chemotherapy damaging ovarian function

Egg donation IVF provides significantly better pregnancy rates—more than 70% in leading Indian IVF clinics—since the donated eggs are obtained from young, healthy women whose fertility is proven. The patient’s age plays a minor role in such cases.

Is Egg Donation Legal in India for Foreign Patients?

Yes. The practice of egg donation for foreigners in India is legal and regulated by the Assisted Reproductive Technology (Regulation) Act, 2021. Among other things, the regulation states:

• Egg donation is done anonymously, meaning that the donor and the person receiving the eggs would never meet;
• Donors are tested for their suitability, that is, lack of hereditary disorders; viruses, including HIV and hepatitis; and so on.
• No woman can be a donor more than 3 times in her life; thus, the donors’ health is protected.
• Foreigners may legally use donated eggs;
• The child conceived via this method becomes your biological offspring legally.

Comparison Table: IVF vs ICSI vs Egg Donation—At a Glance

Which Treatment is Right for You? A Quick Guide

This would make for a good starting point. The reproductive specialist would provide a concrete recommendation depending on your medical history and investigations conducted.

• In case there is tubal obstruction with adequate ovarian reserve –> IVF or ICSI
• In case the semen analysis conducted for your husband reveals a low sperm count or poor motility –> ICSI
• In case your AMH is less than 1.0 ng/mL or AFC is less than 5 –> Egg donation under specialist guidance should be considered
• In case you are above the age of 40 years, IVF using egg donation gives the highest chance of success
• In case two rounds of IVF were unsuccessful –> Request for more comprehensive investigations; egg donation and PGT-A could help
• In case you suffer from PCOS, IVF/ICSI with appropriate ovarian stimulation at MediKaya Healthcare Clinic

Frequently Asked Question

Q: Is ICSI indicated despite no presence of male factor infertility?

A: Yes, most of the centers advise going for ICSI irrespective of semen analysis, just for better chances of fertilization. It does no harm by having ICSI done in a normal scenario and prevents any chances of fertilization failure.

Q: What basis will be used for selection of egg donor in case of CIS?

A: The donor would be chosen according to blood type, physical resemblance in terms of skin color, eye color, hair color, and stature. In the case of CIS patients, donors that resemble Russians and Central Asians would be available with centers having experience working with CIS nationals.

Q: Will it be possible to store extra embryos after egg donation?

A: Yes, if multiple high-quality embryos are produced, then it would be possible to store extra embryos through cryopreservation or vitrification and use them for future Frozen Embryo Transfer Cycles (FET).