An inside look at shipping frozen donor eggs

At Chosen Egg Bank, we also know that the concept of shipping frozen donor eggs can bring up a lot of questions, curiosities, and perhaps even concerns. Many wonder how the eggs are packaged, kept frozen, and protected during travel. And as the egg donation experts, we’re here to answer all of those questions, and more! Keep reading to discover the ins and outs of frozen donor egg shipping!

Collection and freezing

It all starts with the donor! Eggs collected from our highly vetted donors are thoroughly assessed for quality and viability before being cryopreserved using vitrification — a cutting-edge freezing technique that rapidly cools the eggs with liquid nitrogen to prevent ice crystal formation. This ensures their long-term integrity. After vitrification, the eggs are securely stored in ultra-low temperature tanks at approximately -196°C, where they remain suspended until they are ready to be shipped and used in treatment.

Preparing for shipment

Once the recipient chooses their desired batch of frozen eggs, a dedicated team at our egg bank coordinates the donor egg shipping process with the receiving fertility clinic. Specialized cryoshipping containers — known as dry shippers — are used to maintain ultra-low temperatures during transit. Each shipment is packed with meticulous care: the packages are temperature-controlled, affixed with secure labeling and tracking information, and include important documentation such as consent forms, storage records, and transport instructions. 

Transit and tracking

Donor eggs are typically shipped via overnight courier services that specialize in handling biological materials. These services understand and cater to the needs and sensitivities of shipping reproductive material. Because of that understanding, the shipment is fast, includes real-time tracking, and is taken care of by trained personnel. Despite the distance, the donated eggs are kept safely at an optimal temperature.

Arrival and verification

After the eggs are delivered to the recipient clinic, the staff confirms the identity of the shipment and verifies the temperature of the packages to ensure the eggs were properly maintained during travel. Then, the eggs are transferred into their liquid nitrogen storage until the recipient is ready for the fertilization and embryo transfer processes. Verification protocols are taken at every step to ensure that the recipient can proceed with starting a family with peace of mind!

Whether you’re an intended parent or a generous donor, we hope this blog answered any questions you had about the frozen donor egg shipment process! At Chosen Egg Bank, we are dedicated to keeping you informed, no matter if you are in the middle of your journey or are preparing to take the first steps. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out — our dedicated team of professionals is here to help! Or if you’re ready to begin your journey with us, apply to become a donor or start looking for your ideal donor today!