Are Egg Donor Babies Healthy? Addressing Common Concerns

Family building now comes in all ways and forms. Assisted reproductive technologies have been of great benefit in accommodating family structures of all types. As well, supporting varied family building goals. Egg donation is usually used by same sex couples and women who cannot use their own eggs for fertility. Even with high success rates, many people still have concerns about the health of babies conceived through egg donation. So let us have a discussion about the health of egg donor babies.

Understanding Genetic Screening and Testing

Before eggs from a donor can be used, they must be screened for any anomalies, disease, mutations or factors that could cause complications that would impact future health. A crucial part of screening examines the chromosomes of the eggs. We all have 46 chromosomes acquired from both our biological parents. A single sperm cell carries 23 of these chromosomes, and an egg cell carries the other 23. At conception, both parents’ DNA bonds, completing the equation and an embryo is formed. 

Our genetic code is acquired from both parents, in unequal measure. This is because natural selection determines what features and traits we will possess. It also explains why we can have one parent’s eyes and the other parent’s nose. In this sense then we have dominant genes and recessive genes. Genes carry all manner of genetic information including conditions and diseases.When a trait is passed down from a parent to the offspring, it is termed a hereditary trait. Similarly, when disease traits are passed on they are hereditary conditions. 

When disease traits are found on dominant genes, a person is likely to suffer from that condition. When found on recessive genes, the person is said to be a carrier of the condition. Genetics become even more complex when it comes to working out the potential of acquiring a disease on a recessive gene. If two recessive genes of a medical condition are found on the same strand of DNA, it increases the chances of children being affected by the disease. It is almost like math, two positives make a positive; a positive and negative make a negative or a positive; and two negatives make a positive.

When it comes to egg donation, after an egg donor has undergone screening and qualified to be donor, genetic testing focuses on carrier gene testing to identify recessive genes that could potentially result in untreatable childhood diseases, disability, or health complications. This information is crucial for potential recipients, as it mitigates against unpleasant shocks as they raise their child. They can then decide whether or not to proceed building their family using those eggs.

Screening

Genetic screening requires a blood or saliva sample to conduct the test. A genetic lab will perform the test and the results typically take about two to three weeks to be ready. Whereas previous testing approaches were generalized across common conditions and ethnicity, the practice is to test as many conditions as possible because disease affects all people without bias. Today’s testing covers more than 100 variants of diseases and conditions. Egg donors will be screened for chromosomal anomalies like Turner and Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis and sickle cell.

The Role of Donor Health in Baby’s Well-Being

As we have seen, an egg donor’s screening is thorough, providing the best outcomes for recipients.The health of egg donors is evaluated at the physical, medical, psychological, and lifestyle level. A healthy donor with no hereditary conditions gives a chance for good health, not just to recipients, but the child that will be born from their eggs. For best outcomes, it is recommended that this screening begin before any fertility procedures begin. This will give room for those using donor eggs to select a different donor, creating a smoother transition process, than if fertility treatment had already began.

Research on Egg Donor Baby Health Outcomes

Studies have shown that the health of babies born from IVF treatments and egg donation is no different than the health of babies born from natural conception. How well parents bond with their children conceived through egg donation has been observed to be just as regular as any other parent-child bond. As well, egg donor families function just as well as any other family. This means that one cannot tell the difference in physical health, mental health, or socialization, between children born naturally or through assisted reproductive technologies.  

Addressing Myths & Misconceptions

• Myth: Egg donors will run out of eggs which will negatively impact their future fertility.
• Fact: Eggs that are retrieved are acquired from follicles that are released in the cycle from which the eggs have been developed. The ovarian reserve is not tampered with. 
• Myth: Egg Donation is anonymous donors do not have a say in the process, neither are they allowed contact with the families that benefit from their egg donation
• Fact: While confidentiality in medical procedures is a standard practice, egg donors are informed of the process, the risks, and potential outcomes before they begin. They are also at liberty to discontinue should they have a change of heart midway. As far as the recipients of their eggs go, legal agreements between donor and recipient define the degree of involvement, and the extent of confidentiality each must maintain. 
• Myth: Egg donation is painful, invasive, and leads to psychological and emotional distress
• Fact: An egg donor is sedated during egg retrieval which minimises discomfort. The psychological screening that is done before the egg retrieval process begins is there to ensure that egg donors understand the full scope of the process they are undertaking, before they get started. 

Conclusion

Egg donation is a crucial aspect of family building for those who cannot build their families with their own eggs. For this process to be as seamless as possible, egg donors are thoroughly screened physically, medically, and psychologically beforehand. As well, they are well informed of the process, its risks, and their role in the process. To secure this understanding legal agreements govern the roles and responsibilities of both egg donors and recipients. For more information about egg donation, contact our fertility experts at Dallas Fertility Clinic. 

FAQs

Is there a higher risk of birth defects with donor eggs?

No. Egg donors undergo thorough medical screening before donating their eggs and their eggs are screened for genetic anomalies to mitigate against children being born with birth defects.

Does egg donation impact the baby’s genetics?

Yes. Egg donation does impact the baby’s genetics because half of the baby’s genes are from the egg. This is why the egg donor and their eggs are screened carefully.