Egg donation is the process of a woman voluntarily providing her ova for the assisted reproduction of another person or couple. This act is governed by stringent requirements designed to safeguard all parties involved. The primary goals of this rigorous screening are to protect the donor’s health, ensure high-quality eggs, and maximize the chance of a healthy outcome for the resulting child. Becoming a donor involves passing a series of physical, medical, genetic, and psychological assessments that confirm suitability.
Fundamental Eligibility Criteria
Initial screening focuses on physical and biological metrics essential for maximizing the procedure’s success rate. Age is the most significant factor; most programs require donors to be between 21 and 32 years old, as this range offers the best ovarian reserve and egg quality. A healthy Body Mass Index (BMI) is also strictly enforced, often requiring a result under 28 or 30.
Maintaining a healthy BMI is important because being significantly overweight or underweight negatively affects hormone levels and the donor’s response to ovarian stimulation medications. A healthy BMI also reduces the anesthetic risk associated with the transvaginal egg retrieval procedure. Another requirement is a history of regular menstrual cycles, indicating a functional reproductive endocrine system. The use of tobacco products, including smoking and vaping, or any recreational drug use, is an automatic disqualifier due to the detrimental effects on egg quality and overall health.
Medical and Genetic Screening
Once basic physical criteria are met, potential donors undergo a comprehensive medical and genetic evaluation focusing on personal and family health history. This begins with an infectious disease panel mandated to protect recipients from transmissible diseases. Blood and urine samples are tested for pathogens, including:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- Hepatitis B and C
- Syphilis (RPR)
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
Ovarian Function Assessment
A thorough assessment of ovarian function estimates the potential egg yield. This involves a blood test for Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH) to estimate ovarian reserve, and a transvaginal ultrasound for an Antral Follicle Count (AFC). These checks ensure the donor will respond well to stimulation medications. Medical screening also includes a detailed review of the donor’s personal and family history, looking for disqualifying chronic conditions such as diabetes, severe autoimmune disorders, or heritable psychiatric disorders.
Genetic Carrier Screening
Genetic screening involves an expanded carrier screening panel. This testing checks for carrier status of various autosomal recessive and X-linked genetic disorders, such as Cystic Fibrosis, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), Tay-Sachs disease, and Thalassemia. A genetic counselor reviews the donor’s family history, collected for three generations, to identify any patterns of hereditary diseases that could pose a risk to the future child.
Psychological Stability and Lifestyle Assessment
A mandatory psychological evaluation is conducted to ensure the donor is emotionally and mentally prepared for the process and its implications. This evaluation is performed by a licensed mental health professional experienced in third-party reproduction. The assessment uses clinical interviews and standardized psychological tests, such as the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), to screen for serious mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, and to evaluate symptoms of anxiety or depression.
A significant focus is assessing the donor’s motivation, ensuring the decision is informed, voluntary, and not driven by coercion. The professional confirms the donor fully understands the permanent relinquishment of parental rights and the potential for the child to seek genetic information later. The assessment also covers lifestyle stability, reviewing the donor’s ability to adhere to a demanding medical schedule, including multiple early morning monitoring appointments. Demonstrating maturity and dependability is important, as the process requires strict adherence to medication protocols, including injectable hormones.
Navigating the Screening Process and Legal Commitments
The journey begins with an extensive initial application and interview phase reviewed by the agency or clinic. Once a candidate passes this initial review, the full medical, genetic, and psychological screening process is initiated, which can take up to three months. The donor must commit to a flexible schedule to accommodate numerous required appointments, including blood draws, ultrasounds, and consultations with specialists.
Legal Agreements
Before starting the medical cycle, comprehensive legal agreements must be completed to protect all parties. The donor must sign an informed consent document acknowledging the medical risks of the procedure. They also sign a legally binding contract that explicitly waives any future parental rights or responsibilities to the resulting child. It is a requirement that the donor seek and receive independent legal counsel, paid for by the recipients or the agency, to ensure full understanding of the legal implications. Compliance is continuously monitored throughout the process, and failing to meet any single requirement can result in immediate disqualification.