Egg Bank
Gametia can procure oocytes (Metaphase II) obtained from donors following a strict quality control from the donor recruitment to the delivery.
Our staff experience, lab technology and support service to our partners result in high clinical results.
2021
Donor recruitment
Thanks to our network of fully owned centres we can count on a wide phenotype diversity and different service options. Every month over a 100 new male donors join our programmes.
But at Gametia Biobank we believe that the more demanding we are, the greater security we offer to patients and clinics.
This is the reason why our DONOR SELECTION PROCESS is much more demanding than what is is required by local and EU regulations.
Less than 10% of the male candidates are accepted into our program. We continuously expand and update our Donor Screening following the recommendations of scientific societies such as ESHRE, ASRM, SEF, SIRU, ASEBIR, SIERR; and some other relevant international scientific societies. We are active consulting members in some of these societies.
- Candidates complete an online donor application
- Qualification requirements:
Chromosome study – Karyotype:
Only those donor candidates with a normal karyotype are accepted. In addition, donor candidates with polymorphic karyotype variants are ruled out, as they present worse results in assisted human reproduction.
On top of that we screen the reproductive health of the donor, previous childs, Anthral follicle counts, Anti Mullerian Hormone levels…. As we only admit to the programs candidates that can offer the greatest chances of pregnancy to our patients.
Genetics
Latest advances in genetics are spectacular, and although there is still much to understand, we are able to deliver state of the art procedures to enable a dramatic reduction in the genetic risks associated to human reproduction.
For this reason, we carry out a Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) to detect the presence of genetic variants related to autosomal recessive and X-linked inheritance disorders of the donors.
Our screening significantly reduces the risk of the most common hereditary autosomal recessive diseases, however to enhance the genetic protection we offer an advanced genetic matching option.
And in case of very rare diseases that are present in the patients familiar history we can perform specific monogenic research as we keep samples of the DNA of all our donors.
Scientific studies estimate that most healthy people, on average, are carriers of one or two mutations that can lead to severe genetic disorders in offspring. In most cases, carriers show no symptoms and have no known family history of the disorder. In order for the symptoms of recessive disorders to develop, it is necessary for the two copies of a gene inherited by an individual to be altered.
The aim of the test is to detect the presence of mutations in genes associated with autosomal recessive inheritance in gametes as well as mutations in genes linked to the X chromosome in women. If both reproductive partners are carriers of pathogenic variants in the same gene associated with autosomal recessive inheritance, there will be an increased risk (25%) of having a child affected with that specific disorder. If a woman is a carrier of an X-linked disorder, (50%) of her sons would be at risk of being affected with that specific disorder.
Recipient patients who have carried out a carrier study for Recessive Monogenic Diseases and wish to reduce the risk of genetic diseases in their offspring can perform “genetic matching”. The result of this test is compared with the genetic study performed on our donors, selecting an ideal donor, in such a way that the donor and the recipient woman/man do not coincide in pathogenic variants in the same genes.
The test is recommended in assisted reproductive treatment but is also clinically valid in natural reproduction.
Vitrification
Samples are cryopreserved with Kitazato vitrification media and CryoTop® straws (CE marked), considered as a gold standard in vitrification. Gametia embryologists have a wide experience in vitrification, vitrified over 60.000 oocytes in the past 5 years. The procedures are perfomed daily on a routine basis by the same teams of embryologists, as a result our in house survival rates are above 92%.
All our devices are CE marked and labelled for an easy access to the relevant information. Each sample is identified with a SEC CODE that follows the latest EU regulations in terms of safety and traceability of tissue samples (EU Directive 2015/565).
As we identify every donation we store all the history of every single sample and in case of need can give full support.
Each Cryotop is identified with an indelible donor code printing, preventing to mix up straws from different donors and impeding external manipulation of the code, as it cannot be deleted without destroying the label. Additionally, this code makes easier the identification by the receiving Reproduction Center.
Blas2: Guaranteed embryo
Gametia is focused on making your lab procedures easier, and minimizing the difficulties and costs to replace the gametes in case of unsatisfactory thawing. In addition to our oocyte and sperm guarantees we have developed a guaranteed embryo programme.
Where allowed by local regulation, GAMETIA’s embryology labs can offer the additional service of fertilising the donated oocytes.
In case of partner’s sperm this is frozen by the receiving lab’s staff and shipped to one of our Gametia centers where we will perform the fertilisation of donated oocytes, culture the resulting embryos in a time lapse incubator until the blastocyst stage, vitrify the samples on individual straws and ship them to the receiving clinic for transfer.
In case of donor sperm, this will be sourced from Gametia sperm bank.
Thanks to the expertise of our labs and the quality of our oocytes we offer a guarantee of minimum 2 blastocysts with this service, hence the name Blas2.
This service requires a different set of documents and a special agreement between Gametia and the receiving centre needs to be signed. However with extra busy or understaffed labs, or complex logistics this option is highly recommended.
Additional services
FACIAL MATCHING:
The selection of the most adequate donor for the recipient is a clinical decision under the responsibility of the medical directors of GAMETIA centres. Best Phenotypical match is guaranteed however if required we can offer a third party system that identifies through biometrical facial recognition technology the donor candidate with the highest coincidence on a number of facial markers, thus objectively selecting the donor with the similar face.
This service does not guarantee that the child will look exactly like the patient as genetics are far more complicated than that. However via a relatively simple service based on a complex algorithm we can guarantee that the selected donor candidate is the most similar to the patient.
THAWING WORKSHOPS:
Vitrification is one of the most critical lab procedures in which every detail counts in order to obtain the best clinical results with the gametes. Although new technologies are being designed to automate the process, still it is a manual procedure with steps guided by protocols.
Gametia strives to help our partners to obtain the best outcomes with our biological material. Beyond the delivery of the samples, we are committed to ensure an optimal handling of the vitrified samples by offering vitrification workshops. During these sessions with highly skilled professionals, participants are guided in the most critical steps of process.
Some sessions will be soon available.
Logistics
Transportation is a fundamental part of our activity, we take care of every last detail to guarantee a fast and safe delivery.
At Gametia we are experts in handling gametes and have access to different transportation options depending on the receiving centre preferences and individual requirements. We have shipped over 15.000 straws in 2021.
Cells travel in certified dry shipper containers which offer insulation and protection of the cells, and are protected by external shock resistant and leak proof cases built specifically for the transportation of biomaterials.
The dry Shipper is handled by an approved courier with authorisation to handle non dangerous biomaterial. Within the container, depending on requirements we can place a temperature control probe with a data logger that reports any fluctuation in the internal temperature. If needed also a tracking device can be added.
Delivery time 24-48h.
Dry Shippers autonomy: 120 hours
Recommended for all samples. Cells travel in a certified dry shipper container which offer insulation and protection of the cells, and are protected by external shock resistant and leak proof cases built specifically for the transportation of biomaterials.
This container is carried onboard by a trained and authorised courier that never looses sight of the package and delivers it directly to the receiving lab. Total traceability of the shipment is guaranteed by the courier operator. Within the container, depending on requirements we can place a temperature control probe with a data logger that reports any fluctuation in the internal temperature.
Delivery time 24-48h.
Dry Shippers autonomy: 120 hours
Recommended for all type of samples when distance allows. Cells travel in certified liquid nitrogen containers that are protected by external shock resistant and leak proof cases built specifically for the transportation of biomaterials.
The containers are loaded in specially equipped vans (ventilation, anti- knock over restraints… ) that is exclusively dedicated to the transport of our biomaterials.
The driver will deliver in hand the samples the receiving lab.
Within the container, depending on requirements we can place a temperature control probe with a data logger that reports any fluctuation in the internal temperature. If needed also a tracking device can be added.
Delivery time 1 to 5 days.
Liquid N2 Shippers autonomy: 10 days.
Irrespective of the chosen travel options the containers are sealed with a numbered fastener, anchored to the closure system. The identification number of the fastener is unique and is indicated in the shipping report.
Upon arrival of the samples the receiving lab staff should check the cases, contents, probes and documentation and if everything is correct sign the delivery.
What is it for?
The Single European Code is an identifier which supports traceability (the tracking of the whole process of cells from the donor to the recipient) and provide information on the main characteristics of such cells.
It allows the user to obtain information on the cells and the establishment associated with them, including the activities for which he is authorized and their contact details, essential information for the end users.
the SEC Code
What is it for?
The Single European Code is an identifier which supports traceability (the tracking of the whole process of cells from the donor to the recipient) and provide information on the main characteristics of such cells.
It allows the user to obtain information on the cells and the establishment associated with them, including the activities for which he is authorized and their contact details, essential information for the end users.
Single european code
and national registries.
All samples are codified and registered with a SEC code according to EU directives (2015/565) and local regulation. For example in the case of our Spanish biobanks the national SIRHA registry collects and manages the information of donors of gametes for reproductive purposes.
The SEC code makes easier the identification by the receiving Reproduction Center.
Donor transparency is one of the pillars of the legal framework and implies accessible and precise information about legal, ethical, and clinical aspects involving an effective control of new borns.
- Pelvic ultrasound
- Medical personal and familiar history
- Psychological assessment
- SARS-CoV-2 testing and triage
- Certificate from MD about suitability of the donor
