WHICH WOMEN ARE CANDIDATES FOR THE OVUM DONATION PROGRAM?

Those with:

• • Primary ovarian failure
• • Premature menopause
• • Ovarian damage following surgery, radiation or chemotherapy
• • An inheritable genetic disorder
• • Repeated failure to respond to ovarian stimulation in an IVF program

SELECTION THE MOST SUITABLE EGG DONOR

Currently, oocyte donation is probably the most demanded technique in fertility centers, mainly due to the increase of maternal age. Voluntary participation of donors is essential, but donors must be evaluated carefully in order to avoid unsatisfactory results (do not forget that the ultimate goal is the birth of a healthy child without prejudice to the donor or the recipient couple)

Before a female donor is assigned to a recipient couple, she undergoes a strict battery of tests administered by our multidisciplinary team.

These tests include:

• • Medical, psychological and gynaecological examinations
• • Blood and serological tests for infectious diseases
• • Study of her genetic history to rule out the most common hereditary illnesses

TREATMENTS

• In Vitro Fertilization
• Artificial Insemination
• Egg Donation
• Embryo Donation
• Frozen Embryo Transfer
• Genetic Diagnosis (PGD)
• ICSI
• Pesa / Mesa / Tese
• Sperm Donation
• Tandem

The donor then undergoes ovary stimulation to obtain an adequate number of oocytes. The retrieved oocytes are then fertilised and days later, when the resulting embryos reach their optimum state of development, they are transferred to the recipient mother’s uterus.We perform rigorous and comprehensive screenings of donor candidates, including psychological, clinical and genetic evaluations, in order to maximize the suitability and safety of the procedure:

• 1. A psychological evaluation performed by a clinical psychologist. This evaluation includes a personal interview and completing our Questionnaire to evaluate the candidate’s personality.
• 2. An evaluation of the candidate’s personal and family history performed by a gynecologist specialized in fertility, and a physical and gynecological examination that shows the candidate’s good state of health and excludes the possibility of a gynecologic pathology.
• 3. Chromosomal and genetic studies to rule out the possible presence of hereditary diseases: Karyotype (including chromosomal polymorphisms associated with an increased risk of miscarriage), screening for Fragile X Syndrome, Thalassemia, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) and the study of 552 genes linked to over 600 autosomal recessive diseases (CGT: The most comprehensive genetic compatibility test). In addition, the DNA extracted for genetic testing is stored in a biobank for future testing. The donated gametes, at any time, make a request for a genetics study with a view to preventing and adequately treating possible diseases which might affect their children in the future (further to egg donor consent).
• 4. General laboratory tests: blood type and Rh factor, syphilis serology, hepatitis B and C serology, HIV serology, and coagulation tests.
• 5. Tests for Cytomegalovirus (CMV).
• 6. Screening of the 10 most common sexually transmitted diseases (chlamydia, gonorrhoea, herpes I and II, trichomonas, Treponema, Mycoplasma hominis and genitalium, ureaplasma, haemophilus).