Donors Needed For Anonymous Egg Donation Program

Healthy, non-smoking women between the ages of 21 and 33 are needed to help fulfill the dreams of couples on a waiting-list for the Anonymous Egg Donation Program at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at the University of Connecticut Health Center in Farmington.

"Specifically, egg donation helps women who are unable to conceive because they cannot produce healthy eggs. This can be caused by several problems such as premature ovarian failure, genetic abnormalities, or advanced maternal age," said advanced reproductive specialist Donald B. Maier, MD.

"For many couples that have struggled with infertility, egg donation has been a very successful treatment," he added. "Egg donation allows the woman who conceives the opportunity to carry and nurture the pregnancy, and establish a biologic relationship with the child," he explained.

The egg donation process involves many steps. First, potential egg donors and recipients undergo extensive medical and psychological screenings. Then, recipients are placed on medications to stimulate the development of a receptive uterine lining. At the same time, the donor is placed on medications to stimulate the development of multiple follicles within the ovary. When the follicles are mature, a procedure is performed to remove the egg from the donor’s ovary.

The eggs are then fertilized in a lab with the sperm of the recipient’s partner. The embryo develops in the lab for three days until they are transferred into the recipient’s uterus. Donors are compensated for their effort.

"Egg donation, for both recipients and donors alike, takes a tremendous amount of courage and commitment. Our goal is to guide donors and recipients through the program," said Lorry Belanger, RN.

In 1987, the Health Center was the first site in New England to help women conceive using donated eggs. To learn more about becoming a donor, call 860-679-2430, or visit the center’s Web site at www.fertilitycenter-uconn.org.