Ab Ovo
From the beginning, the origin, the egg.
This ancient Latin phrase, “Ab Ovo,” meaning “from the egg,” takes us back to the roots of many things, including the concept of egg banking. Just as the phrase has historical significance, so too does the journey of egg banking. A journey that began with the simple, yet profound, desire to help families grow. So, in today’s blog we taking a history lesson about the origins of egg banking to answer the question, what is an egg bank?
The Origins – What is an Egg Bank?
The story of egg banking dates back to the early 1980s, when the first successful birth from a frozen embryo occurred. This milestone opened the door to the possibility of freezing and storing eggs for future use. However, the process of egg freezing (oocyte cryopreservation) faced many challenges in its infancy. Unlike sperm, which had been successfully frozen since the 1950s, eggs presented a unique set of challenges due to their size and water content. This made them more susceptible to damage during the freezing process.
The breakthrough came with the development of vitrification in the early 2000s. Vitrification, a rapid freezing technique, allowed eggs to be preserved with a much higher success rate. This lead to the birth of the first baby from a vitrified egg in 1999. This was a significant leap forward, marking the beginning of egg banking as a viable option for women who wished to preserve their fertility.
Egg Banking in Today’s Society
Today, egg banking has become a critical component of reproductive medicine. As more women delay childbearing for personal, professional, or medical reasons, the demand for egg banking has grown exponentially. What started as a pioneering medical breakthrough has now become a routine service offered by fertility clinics around the world.
The process involves harvesting eggs from a woman’s ovaries, freezing them through vitrification, and storing them until they are ready to be used for fertility treatments. This technology not only empowers women with more reproductive choices but also offers hope to those facing medical treatments, such as chemotherapy.
The World Egg and Sperm Bank: A Legacy of Ethics and Innovation
Since its founding in 2004, The World Egg and Sperm Bank has been at the forefront of egg banking. Our journey began with a commitment to ethical practices and transparency. These values remain at the core of everything we do. Over the past two decades, we have helped countless families grow, providing them with the highest quality eggs and sperm while maintaining the utmost respect for the individuals who entrust us with their reproductive material.
In addition to offering eggs, we have expanded our services to include sperm banking. Furthering our mission to offer comprehensive and compassionate care to those seeking to build their families. Our longevity in the field is a testament to our dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to ethical gamete banking.
Our question can be answered not just with a definition, but with a story—one that begins “Ab Ovo,” from the egg, and continues through decades of innovation, ethical practices, and a deep commitment to helping families achieve their dreams. At The World Egg and Sperm Bank, we are proud to be pioneers in this field. Leading the way with integrity and a vision for a future where everyone has the opportunity to create the family they desire.
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For more information regarding how to find an egg donor, please reach out to our team at The World Egg and Sperm Bank and start your remarkable journey toward parenthood today! If you are interested in becoming a future parent then browse our egg donor or sperm donor list today!
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