AHMEDABAD: The country's first bank for freezing

's eggs, sperms and embryos will be set up in Ahmedabad. The bank, to be operational in three month's time, is the first to be set up following guidelines of

(ART) Bill, draft of which has got the union health ministry's nod. The bill is yet to be passed in Parliament.

The ART bank would be set up through a joint partnership between Ahmedabad-based Nova Pulse IVF and IVI, a chain of IVF clinics headquartered in Spain.

IVI has pioneered the technique of freezing eggs called vitrification which allows women to freeze their eggs which can be used even years later without compromising on their quality.

"Freezing of eggs will also enable career-oriented women to freeze their eggs till they are ready for motherhood. Most importantly, women suffering from cancer will also be able to preserve their eggs before starting chemotherapy which is known to cause

and fulfil their dream of motherhood later", said Dr

Garcia Velasco, director IVI, Madrid.

The bank, experts said, would be a boon for 26 million infertile couples in India who seek women donors for eggs and male donors for sperms which match their physical and intellectual characteristics. The bank will also have a database ready of women who wish to offer their wombs on rental as surrogates. "The ART bank will allow couples to choose from an extensive database of donors and select an egg which promises to be the closest match to the couple", said Dr Manish Banker of Nova Pulse IVF.

Banker said many times, couples from different parts of India or couples of foreign origin seek donors who will help them give children which match their regional or national characteristics which was not possible with donors from

.

"South Indian couples would request for a woman egg donor who is dark but highly educated. International couples seek donors who are fair, tall and intellectual. On a short notice, such specific donors are difficult to find. With ART bank, this would be possible as unlike doctors, banks will be allowed to extensively advertise for donors", Banker said.

The bank would follow the ethical guidelines mandated in the ART bill and would be independent of IVF clinics. The bank will pay remuneration specified in the bill for egg, sperm donors and surrogates.

CEO of Nova Medical Centers Suresh Soni said three ART banks will be operationalized in India by 2012 end. "We aim to start 25 banks by next year", said Soni.