Potential Oocyte Donors Research Articles

Investigating attitudes towards oocyte donation amongst potential donors and the general population: a systematic review

With a current shortage of oocyte donors in the United Kingdom (UK), the psychological factors determining intentions to donate oocytes are important to understand. The objectives of this review were to explore psychosocial aspects of potential oocyte donors, including attitudes, motivations, as well as any issues surrounding potential donor disclosure and anonymity. A systematic search of English peer-reviewed journals of three computerized databases following PRISMA guidelines was conducted. Only English language peer-reviewed studies that have examined the psychosocial aspects of oocyte donation (OD) amongst potential oocyte donors were included. No time restriction was set for date of publication. A total of 39 studies were included which were analysed using thematic analysis. Broadly, authors have reported positive attitudes towards OD, however, knowledge surrounding OD within the general population is poor. Three key themes were identified as influencing the decision to donate: (i) altruism; (ii) financial motivation; and (iii) experience of fertility problems through friends. There were distinct differences in motivations to donate amongst potential donors according to demographics including fertility status, parity, ethnicity and religious background. Attitudes towards disclosure and anonymity appear complex. This is the first systematic review to examine potential oocyte donors exclusively and provides progressive information on the psychosocial complexities which may influence the crucial decision to donate. An increased number of well-designed studies exploring the psychological factors affecting the donation decision could allow more directed assessment and counselling for potential oocyte donors, which may lead to an increase in donor recruitment.

Autonomy and self-esteem of women who donate to an oocyte cryopreservation bank in the Netherlands

Worldwide, oocyte donors donate voluntarily or receive varying amounts of money for donation. This raises ethical questions regarding the appropriateness of financial compensation, and the possibility of undue inducement and exploitation of oocyte donors. Are these donors capable of making an independent, well-considered decision? Regarding this matter, it is important to examine aspects such as autonomy-connectedness and self-esteem. In this cross-sectional study, demographic characteristics and donation motivations were assessed in 92 women who attended the University Medical Center (UMC) Utrecht as potential oocyte donors between June 2012 and July 2016. Demographic characteristics were assessed. Motivations were recorded in semi-structured interviews (response rate 59%). The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess level of self-esteem. The Autonomy-Connectedness Scale was used to measure the level of autonomy-connectedness. The typical oocyte donor at the UMC Utrecht is a well-educated, employed, 31-year-old woman living with her partner in a completed family with two children, and donating on altruistic grounds. The donors showed higher autonomy-connectedness scores than the average female Dutch population and do not lack self-esteem (questionnaire response rate 66%). Concerns regarding exploitation and attraction of women with lower socioeconomic status, with shortcomings in autonomy-connectedness and self-esteem, could not be confirmed in this group.

Excessive Age-Related Decline in Functional Ovarian Reserve in Infertile Women: Prospective Cohort of 15,500 Women.

Whether infertile women exhibit accelerated ovarian aging and whether a low ovarian reserve is overrepresented in infertility populations is not known. To compare the age-related decline in antral follicle count (AFC), a biomarker of the ovarian reserve, in fertile and infertile women. Cross-sectional data from a large prospective cohort study conducted from January 2013 to December 2014. Thirteen fertility centers across Spain. Consecutive women aged 18 to 45 years of age attending the fertility centers either seeking fertility treatment or as fertile women wishing to act as potential oocyte donors. Standardized AFC assessment on day 2 to 4 of the cycle. Age-related decline of AFC for both fertile and infertile women. A total of 15 500 women, of whom 5722 were potential donors and 9778 were patients seeking fertility treatment, participated in the study. Average AFC was greater in potential oocyte donors than in infertile women (20 [interquartile range, 16-24] vs 10 [interquartile range, 6-15], respectively; P < .001), a difference that was maintained after adjustment for age (P < .001) in a model predicting log(AFC) from donor vs infertility, adjusting for 2-year age bands. The age-related decline in AFC was much steeper in infertile women compared with that of potential oocyte donors, with an increased prevalence of a low ovarian reserve (AFC < 5) at all ages in infertile women. The age-related decline in AFC was substantially greater in infertility patients than potential oocyte donors. Overrepresentation in infertility populations of women with low ovarian reserve may be an additional functional cause of infertility.

Once you're choosing, nobody's perfect: is more information necessarily better in oocyte donor selection?

Despite a growing body of research examining the psychosocial issues involved in oocyte donation, few studies have examined the role of information in the process of donor selection. The aim of this interview-based qualitative study was to understand how donor oocyte recipients relate to information provided about potential oocyte donors, how they use this information to select donors and their preferences for, and reactions to, various types of information provided to them. Donor oocyte recipients who underwent treatment between 1995 and 2011 were recruited for participation from an academic centre for reproductive medicine. Twenty-two oocyte donor recipients participated. Findings indicate that recipients use information to select donors who they believe would enable them to fulfill their priorities: having a healthy child and ‘passing’ as genetically related. Obtaining more specific information prompted a focus on donor imperfections and presented a burden of choosing. Moreover, for participants preferring distance, having more information created dilemmas by making the donors less abstract. Although more information and options are often desired by oocyte donor recipients, increased choice can also present psychological dilemmas and emotional costs. Further research is needed to investigate the influence of information-related conflicts on patient decision-making, post-treatment emotional adjustment and disclosure decisions.

The incidence of both serious and minor complications in young women undergoing oocyte donation

To investigate the incidence of serious and minor complications experienced by women undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and oocyte retrieval for oocyte donation. Retrospective study. University-based IVF center. Five hundred eighty-seven donors underwent 973 cycles of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and 886 oocyte retrievals for anonymous or directed oocyte donation. Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation; oocyte retrieval. Complications of the procedure. The rate of serious complications, which included ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ovarian torsion, infection, and ruptured ovarian cyst, was 6 in 886 (0.7%) retrieval cycles. The rate of minor complications severe enough to prompt the donor to seek medical attention after retrieval was 8.5%. The cancellation rate after stimulation cycle initiation was approximately 9%, regardless of whether the donation was anonymous or directed. This study provides information on the incidence of serious complications experienced by oocyte donors after controlled ovarian hyperstimulation and oocyte retrieval. It provides evidence that with careful monitoring, and when a liberal cancellation policy is followed, oocyte donors experience lower rates of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, compared with infertile women undergoing IVF. Furthermore, the study provides the first set of data on the rate of symptomatic minor complications experienced by oocyte donors. This information will help clinicians administer appropriate informed consent to the young women who present themselves as potential oocyte donors.

Guidelines for oocyte donation

Guidelines for oocyte donation

Financial incentives in recruitment of oocyte donors

Financial incentives in recruitment of oocyte donors

Assessment of attitudes regarding directives of oocytes among ovum donors in an egg donation program

Objective: Directives for disposition of donor oocytes is solely at the discretion of an IVF program as ovum donors waive all rights as a result of their donation. Typically, they are informed that their oocytes will be used to help “a couple” to conceive. We queried potential oocyte donors regarding different clinical and social situations and how this may affect their desire to pursue oocyte donation.

Characterization of potential oocyte donors in Sweden

Oocyte donation has been permitted by Swedish legislation since January 2003. While donors are anonymous to the receiving couple, offspring have the legal right to receive identifying information about the donor when they reach adult age. Our aim was to investigate factors of potential importance for women's willingness to donate oocytes. A questionnaire regarding attitudes towards oocyte donation was sent to a randomized sample of 1000 women aged 25-35 years (73% response). Seventeen percent would consider donating oocytes, whereas 39% opposed this, and 44% were doubtful. Potential donors were less likely to have children of their own and thought the genetic link was of less importance. Potential donors would feel happy about helping a childless couple, and 38% would be glad to be contacted by the offspring. Factors that would increase women's willingness to donate were being able to talk to experienced donors, proximity to the clinic and availability of counselling. The results indicate considerable interest in donating oocytes among a subset of women in Sweden. Potential donors associated donation with altruistic motives. The issue of offspring's right to know about their origin appears to be complicated. This suggests that information about the consequences of donation is of great importance.

Guidelines for oocyte donation

Guidelines for oocyte donation

Outcome of a cohort of anonymous oocyte donor applicants and predictors of voluntary withdrawal.

Objective: The high withdrawal rate of potential oocyte donors following initial interest reduces the availability of donor oocytes. This study describes a complete cohort’s outcome in our donor egg program and identifies factors associated with voluntary withdrawal. Identification of these factors would be a helpful step towards increasing the availability of donor oocytes.

Oocyte donor screening: the selection process and cost analysis

Objective: To evaluate the selection process and cost of screening oocyte donors. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: University-based IVF program. Patient(s): Potential oocyte donors. Intervention(s): Outcomes of all inquiries by individuals responding to recruitment advertisements for oocyte donors over a 10-month period were assessed. Recruitment and screening costs to bring a single donor into the program were calculated. Main Outcome Measure(s): The attrition rate for each step of the oocyte donor screening process was determined. The costs assessed over the study period included the following: advertisement, administrative, professional, ultrasound, and blood screening. The total cost to bring a single donor into the program was calculated. Result(s): Advertisements led to 315 phone inquiries from potential oocyte donors. Of these, a total of 223 (71%) voluntarily withdrew from the screening process, 54 (17%) were screened out for medical or psychological reasons, and 38 (12%) entered the active donor pool. The total cost to bring a single donor into the program was approximately $1,869. Conclusion(s): There was significant attrition in the screening process for oocyte donation that needs to be taken into account in determining the costs of managing the program.

Attitudes towards gamete donation among couples undergoing in vitro fertilization

The attitudes of 234 anonymous couples undergoing in vitro fertilization toward sperm and oocyte donation were explored by questionnaire. All the questionnaires were returned of which 222 (95%) were complete and analysed. A high proportion of couples found the use of donor sperm acceptable for therapeutic, diagnostic and treatment purposes (77%, 90% and 97% respectively) and 72%, 84% and 90% respectively were willing to donate oocytes for these purposes. Of potential oocyte donors 41% would agree to nonanonymous donation, 12% would wish to meet the recipient couple and although only 4% wanted to choose the recipient, a quarter of the couples would prefer a relative or friend as the recipient. Provision of nonidentifying information about the donor to the recipient couple was acceptable to almost 70% whereas 40% found giving the same information to the child acceptable.