New Fertility Merger Expands Donor Egg and Sperm Access

The IVI Institute's acquisition of The World Egg and Sperm Bank aims to provide more donor options for those seeking fertility care.

Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Pregnancy

Gouache-painted illustration of a simple terracotta vessel, representing the clinical and delicate nature of fertility and assisted reproductive care.
The IVI Institute’s acquisition of The World Egg and Sperm Bank integrates donor recruitment and clinical care to expand fertility options globally. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The IVI Institute has acquired The World Egg and Sperm Bank to increase access to donor-assisted reproductive options in the United States and Australia. The merger aims to address rising global demand for donor material as more people pursue childbearing later in life.

Why it matters

Delayed parenthood is a growing trend, with 34% of U.S. women reporting they had their first child later than originally intended. Integrating donor recruitment and clinical care may streamline the search for genetic material and support for those navigating assisted fertility.

Data from the IVI Institute Fertility Barometer survey of 24,000 women highlights trends in delayed childbearing. Clinical outcomes indicate an approximate 60% pregnancy rate per embryo transfer in egg donation treatments.

The players

IVI Institute

A global provider of fertility services operating over 200 clinics across 15 countries.

The World Egg and Sperm Bank

A fertility services company based in Scottsdale that manages donor recruitment and cryopreservation.

Diana Thomas

The founder who began connecting parents to fertility care in 1996.

The details

The World Egg and Sperm Bank manages the entire cycle for donors, including recruitment, qualification, and storage at its Scottsdale facility. By integrating these protocols into the IVI Institute global network of over 200 clinics, the acquisition aims to provide a more coordinated pipeline for donor eggs and sperm. The network now utilizes a pool of more than 500 screened donors to support patients seeking fertility solutions.

Timeline

  1. 1996: Diana Thomas began connecting parents to fertility care.

  2. 2004: The World Egg and Sperm Bank was founded.

  3. October 15, 2026: IVI Institute announced the acquisition.

Health Landscape

This move reflects the ongoing evolution of global fertility care as medical providers consolidate to meet shifting demographic demands. It sits within a larger trend of normalizing donor-assisted reproduction as an standard option for individuals navigating age-related fertility challenges.

If you are considering donor-assisted fertility, this integration may expand your access to vetted donor options and standardized care protocols. Discussing your timeline and family-building goals with a reproductive endocrinologist can help you evaluate if donor options are right for your needs.

The takeaway

Rising rates of delayed childbearing continue to drive the need for accessible donor material in global fertility care. Individuals exploring these options should consult with a fertility specialist to understand the current success rates and donor matching process for their specific circumstances.

Further reading

Learn more about assisted reproductive technology options in our Pregnancy section.

More information

View the full results in the IVI Institute Fertility Barometer research data.

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Do you trust that larger global fertility networks provide better, more reliable care for patients?