Donor Egg Program

Welcome to the Columbia Fertility Associates Donor Egg Program, a part of the In-Vitro-Fertilization and Embryo Transfer Program. 

In this section we provide you with basic information on the process of egg donation and specific information on the Donor Egg Program at Columbia Fertility Associates.

• Introduction
• Who is a Candidate to Receive Donor Egg?
• Who may Donate Eggs?
• Why Might a Woman Donate Eggs to Another Woman?
• Screening of Egg Donors
• Screening of Recipients
• Screening of Recipients of Advanced Reproductive Age (>45)
• Conclusion

Introduction

Egg donation is the removal of eggs (ova) from one woman (donor) in order to give them to another woman (recipient) for the purpose of establishing a pregnancy in the recipient. The recipient need not have functioning ovaries, but must have a uterus which will be able to carry the pregnancy.

Whereas donated sperm has been used for more than one hundred years to treat otherwise uncorrectable male infertility, it is only in recent years that egg donation has been technically possible. With the advent of in vitro fertilization techniques, it is now possible to remove the eggs from a woman’s ovaries and fertilize them with sperm in the laboratory. The developing embryo can then be placed in a uterus where hopefully implantation and pregnancy will occur.

In egg donation, the eggs from a donor female are fertilized in the laboratory with sperm from the recipient’s male partner. Following fertilization, the embryo (which contains the genetic material of the recipient’s male partner and the donor) is transferred into the recipient’s uterus where implantation and pregnancy may occur.

Donors fall into two basic categories- directed donors and anonymous donors:

1. A directed donor is a woman who donates eggs to a specific recipient, with whom she may be related or acquainted.
    
2. An anonymous donor is a woman who donates eggs without regard to or knowledge of the recipient.

Who is a Candidate to Receive Donor Egg?

There are many reasons why a woman may require the eggs of another woman in order to produce a pregnancy.

These reasons fall into two major categories-women with functioning ovaries and those women without functioning ovaries (menopause).

Women with Functioning Ovaries

• Women who have genetic abnormality, which may be passed on to their children, may elect to use the eggs of another woman who does not have the specific genetic abnormality.
   
• Women who produce eggs which either do not fertilize or do not lead to pregnancy in prior in vitro fertilization attempts may choose to use eggs from a fertile donor in order to increase their chances of producing a pregnancy.
   
• Women who are still having menstrual cycles, but are approaching menopause and have not been successful at producing sufficient numbers of eggs for use in in vitro fertilization.

Women without Ovarian Function

• Women born without ovaries (Turner’s syndrome) or whose ovaries have been surgically removed or destroyed by radiation and/or chemotherapy.
   
• Women who have undergone menopause either prematurely (less than 40 years of age) or normally (above the age of 40).

Who may Donate Eggs?

Donors must meet the following criteria:

1. Be in good general health.
    
2. Meet the current criteria of the FDA required Communicable Disease Screening.
    
3. Meet the current criteria of the Donor Egg Program of Columbia Fertility Associates for the screening of genetic and infectious diseases.
    
4. Have regular, ovulatory menstrual cycles.
    
5. Undergo a psychological/emotional evaluation administered by a mental health professional.

It is recommended that donors meet the following:

1. Be between the ages of 21 and 32.
    
2. Have previously achieved a pregnancy.

Donors will be excluded for the following reasons:

1. Medical status that makes stimulating the ovaries to produce increased numbers of eggs a significant health risk.
    
2. Inaccessible ovaries or any other contraindication to egg retrieval.
3. Active pelvic infection.
    
4. Personal or family history which places the recipient at an increased risk for genetic abnormality.
    
5. Inability to understand instructions, procedures, and/or consent forms.
    
6. Inability to cope with the emotional stresses and time commitments involved in the egg donation process.

Why Might a Woman Donate Eggs to Another Woman?

There are many reasons why a woman may choose to donate her eggs, however, all have one thing in common- the wish to help another women experience the happiness of carrying and delivering a baby.

Directed donors may be relatives, friends, or recruited donors. Anonymous donors may come from several sources, including women undergoing in vitro fertilization because of blocked tubes who may have extra eggs, women undergoing tubal sterilization procedures, and volunteers willing to donate their eggs.

Screening of Egg Donors

Prospective egg donors undergo a complete examination by a physician in order to determine their ability to tolerate the procedure required with egg donation. In addition, donors are screened for genetic and heritable diseases via an extensive questionnaire. When necessary, appropriate laboratory testing is performed to rule out identifiable genetic diseases.

Donors are also screened for infectious diseases which may be transmitted to the recipient. This currently includes syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, viral hepatitis, cytomegalovirus, and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

Unfortunately, in the early phases of viral disease (such as AIDS), it is possible for a person to test negative, despite their being infected. Later, they will test positive for the disease. It is for this reason, for example, that sperm used for donation is frozen for six months, and the donor is retested prior to releasing the specimen for use. At present, egg freezing is still in experimental stages, so fresh specimens must be used. There remains a small theoretical risk of transmitting an infectious disease through the use of fresh specimens.

All donors are screened by a mental health professional to explore their views on egg donation and the ramifications of becoming an egg donor. In addition, the reasons for wishing to donate eggs are explored.

Screening of Recipients

The recipient couple is screened for infectious diseases including syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, viral hepatitis, and AIDS. In addition, the recipient couple is interviewed by a mental health professional to explore their views on egg donation, expectations, and potential ramifications of preparing a baby conceived through egg donation.

Screening of Recipients of Advanced Reproductive Age (>45)

There are many physiological changes which takes place during a normal pregnancy.

Pregnancy places extra strain on the heart, liver, and kidneys, and may worsen pre-existing medical illnesses such as high blood pressure (hypertension), Diabetes Mellitus and heart disease.

All recipients who will be greater than 45 years of age at the time of delivery must be evaluated by a primary care physician, and obtain medical clearance to proceed with an attempt at conception.

In addition, it is recommended that women of advanced reproductive age consult with a perinatologist (an obstetrician who specializes in high-risk pregnancies) to explore the issues of prenatal care and delivery.

Conclusion

We hope this passage has answered some of your questions about the Donor Egg Program at Columbia Fertility Associates.

Please visit the links located on this page to find additional information which will be helpful to you:

• Donor Info
• Recipient Info
• Donor Egg Pregnancy Rates (SART)
• Resources

Should you have other questions please call our Donor Egg Coordinator at (202) 293-6582, or email us at CFADonorEggProgram@columbiafertility.com.