The success of In Vitro Fertilization cycles is inextricably linked to the quality of the eggs, which declines significantly after the age of 40 due to diminishing ovarian reserve and an increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities. While IVF with a woman's own eggs can still be attempted, the live birth rate drops sharply to under 10-20% for women in their early 40s. Donor egg cycles, however, offer a powerful and often preferred solution for this demographic.

Donor egg IVF involves using eggs from a younger, screened donor, which are then fertilized with the partner’s or donor sperm and transferred to the recipient's uterus. Because the success rate of an IVF cycle is primarily determined by the age of the egg, using eggs from a young donor dramatically reverses the biological clock for the recipient. For women over 40, the live birth rate per transfer using donor eggs can soar to an impressive 60-70%, offering a realistic and highly effective path to pregnancy.

The high efficacy and increasing acceptance of this third-party reproduction option make the donor segment a major contributor to the overall market growth. The utilization of donor egg IVF for older women is a key driver for the entire fertility services market, supporting its robust projected CAGR. As the average maternal age continues to rise globally, the demand for donor services and the creation of large, highly vetted egg donor banks will remain a high-growth area for clinics worldwide.

The future of donor egg services will be characterized by greater transparency, improved matching technologies, and global harmonization of legal frameworks. AI-driven platforms are being utilized to match recipients with donors based on complex genetic and phenotypic criteria, moving beyond basic characteristics. Furthermore, advancements in cryopreservation have made frozen donor eggs a more convenient and cost-effective option than fresh cycles, accelerating the accessibility and global reach of these high-success-rate services.