Genetic Testing for Egg Donors: What’s Required?

The process of selecting egg donors begins with a vetting process. The vetting process includes physical, psychological, health and medical checks. In each category the are various criteria which the egg donor must meet in order to qualify for egg donation. A very crucial step in this process is genetic testing.

Since egg donor agencies desire to supply their patients with the highest quality of eggs, egg donors must undergo genetic testing to rule out any conditions that could be passed down to the child that will be conceived using their eggs. In this article we shall look a bit deeper into genetic testing, including the typical test done and what the results mean for potential egg donors.

Why Genetic Testing Is Necessary

Genetic testing is important primarily because any baby conceived acquires half of its genetic material from the egg. As well, because it enables professional healthcare providers to determine the nature of genes that will be passed onto the child that would be born. 

For egg donors, this information is derived directly from testing the DNA of the egg donor. An egg donor’s family history as well is vital to understanding the potential of hereditary conditions being passed down, if any. 

Common Genetic Screenings for Donors

There are several types of genetic screenings used to evaluate whether an egg donor’s genetic material is suitable for egg donation. Genetic screening is done on two levels. The first is through obtaining medical histories, while the second is lab based. The lab based screening would require a blood, saliva or tissue sample obtained by swabbing a person’s inner cheek. 

Questionnaires

The first screening is obtained through an extensive questionnaire whereby a potential egg donor responds to questions regarding their personal medical history and their family’s medical history. If any serious hereditary conditions are indicated, this immediately disqualifies the egg donor.

Genetic Carrier Testing

Genetic carrier testing is the next step , where a broad evaluation testing for the most common hereditary conditions is done. These include cystic fibrosis, Tay Sachs, fragile X, spinal muscular atrophy, non-syndromatic deafness, severe hemolytic anemia, hemoglobinopathy and dystrophinopathy.

Evaluating Recessive Genes

Since we all inherit two sets of genes, a family history enables professional healthcare providers to understand the impact that certain genes will have on a child’s health. Egg donors are not the only ones who undergo genetic screening. Sperm is also screened whether from the parent who will be providing it, or the sperm donor agency. The two results are evaluated alongside each other. 

How Results Impact Eligibility

Between the questionnaire and genetic carrier testing, if any serious hereditary conditions are detected, it is cause for immediate disqualification from being an egg donor. The genetic screening process seeks to provide the healthiest eggs for recipients. Some conditions present too high a health risk for future parents, and DNA testing ensures that children born from donor eggs have the best chance at a full and healthy life.

When it comes to recessive genes, there are three ways certain conditions are evaluated. The first is that if both sperm and egg have atypical genes, there is a 25 percent chance that the child will have the health condition. The second is that if only one (either sperm or egg) has the condition, there is a 50 percent chance that the child will be a carrier but will not have the condition. The third is that if both egg and sperm have typical genes, the child is not a carrier and will not have the disease.

Conclusion

Genetic testing is vital to potentially determining what the future health of the child born will be. The purpose is to help people build their families with healthy donor eggs, so that they can have healthy children. There are several steps taken in order to ensure that the eggs that donors provide are of the highest quality.

If you want to know more about genetic testing and would like to be screened as an egg donor, reach out to the fertility experts at San Diego Fertility Center. Our team of professionals will guide you though all the steps and respond to any queries you have regarding becoming an egg donor.

FAQ

Why do egg donors undergo genetic testing?

Genetic testing is a way to screen for hereditary conditions, in order to ensure the healthiest possible outcome for children conceived using donor eggs.

What happens if a genetic issue is found?

There are several evaluations conducted through genetic testing. Some genetic conditions may disqualify donors, depending on how severe they are.