Oocyte Donation

Oocyte (egg) donation has rapidly beome a feasible reproductive option for many couples. For some women, oocyte donation may be their last or only option to have a child.

In simplistic terms, if one can identify that an egg problem exists, replacing a poor quality egg with an egg of better quality corrects the problem. Statistically, better pregnancy rates are achieved from donors that have had children before. Approximately 99% of the egg donors stimulated at the Markham Fertility Centre fall into this category. The “ideal” egg donor is a woman in her early 20’s to 30’s that has had 2-3 children.

The following are indications for oocyte donation:

1) Premature ovarian failure (POF)
•POF can be secondary to:
a) unexplained
b) chemotherapy or radiation therapy
c) surgical procedures on the ovaries
d) genetic

2) Advancing maternal age
3) Poor response to fertility medications
4) Demonstrated poor egg quality at previous IVF attempts

Pregnancy rates of 50-70% per transfer should be obtained with oocyte donation when working with young, proven, fertile women.

Oocyte donation requires a considerable amount of time and effort for the egg donor. These women are, usually, highly motivated and, for various reasons, have a strong desire to help an infertile couple have a child.

Since March 29, 2004, Canadian legislation prohibits egg donors, sperm donors or surrogate mothers to be paid any fee for their services. While it is still acceptable to pay donors for their receiptable expenses (travel, gas, hotel bills etc), it is illegal to give donors any money for their donated gametes. Failure to comply with this legislation could result in a severe penalty to the Markham Fertility Centre and/or the couple involved. A copy of the Act can be found on the Health Canada web site: www.parl.gc.ca