Donor eggs help, but age still matters. New research presented at ESHRE 2026 found that women over 49 using donor oocytes had significantly lower live birth rates and higher miscarriage rates than younger recipients. The findings suggest uterine aging — not just egg quality — plays a meaningful role in reproductive outcomes.
Donor eggs have long been seen as a way to sidestep age-related fertility decline — but a new study suggests the uterus may have its own timeline. Research presented at the ESHRE 2026 Annual Meeting in London found that women aged 49 and older using donor oocytes had notably worse pregnancy outcomes than younger recipients, even after accounting for egg quality and other variables.
The study analyzed data from 1,774 women who underwent 2,760 single blastocyst transfers at a single Italian center. Researchers found that clinical pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and miscarriage rates all worsened progressively with age — pointing to uterine changes, not just egg quality, as a contributing factor.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings challenge the assumption that donor eggs fully "reset" the reproductive clock. While results shouldn't discourage women from pursuing treatment, clinicians should counsel patients — especially those over 49 — that uterine aging may independently affect outcomes.
