Using Donor Eggs

Some couples are infertile because the female partner is unable to produce eggs (oocytes). This can occur for several reasons including poorly developed ovaries (e.g. Turner’s Syndrome), low ovarian function, ovarian failure (premature menopause), surgery or chemotherapy affecting fertility.

For these women, IVF using donated eggs offers their only chance of achieving a pregnancy. There are many reasons why a woman might not be able to use her own eggs, including if she has had cancer treatment, gone through the menopause or her children are at risk of inheriting a serious genetic disease.

Donor Recruitment – How are donors screened

IVF London only use donors who meet the stringent HFEA criteria. This means that donated eggs will usually be provided by women between the ages of 18 and 35 who have undertaken certain health tests to ensure that they do not pass on any serious diseases or medical conditions to you or your baby. Besides the clinical assessment based on personal and family history, a donor will also undergo an ultrasound scan and blood test to assess ovarian reserve. In addition, they will be screened for HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia, and genetic screening for karyotype (chromosome test) and cystic fibrosis. Some donors may require further investigations based on their ethnic origin, such as screening for Thalassaemia (Mediterranean, Asian or non-northern European), Sickle Cell (Asian or Afro-Caribbean) and Tay Sachs (Jewish). There is no way that genetic testing can be certain. The tests performed will lower the possibility of transmitting the conditions tested (ex: Cystic fibrosis). This will not exclude the possibility of a child having a genetic or

congenital anomaly, although the chances are rare.

Egg Donation and the Law

Each egg donor is only able to create 10 families within the UK. The donors identifying information must be given to the HFEA for its confidential register. When a donor-conceived person becomes 18, they are able to contact the HFEA and request the identifying information for their sperm donor.