Genetic Testing for Egg Donors: What’s Required?

Genetic testing is one of the crucial factors that affect whether or not a person can donate their eggs. The reason for this is that egg donor agencies seek out the healthiest options for their patients who require egg donation for their own family building. Since an egg donor is often not related to the recipients of their eggs, every aspect of health must be assessed in order to provide the best outcomes for patients.

Egg donors are selected based on age, BMI, lifestyle choices, mental health, ethnicity and genetic health. Genetic testing is vital to egg donation because some medical conditions can be  passed on through the DNA. This in turn has an impact on the health of the child born from those eggs, even if the sperm used was healthy. e 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

All human life comes into existence by the coming together of a sperm cell and an egg cell in a process called fertilization. Two strands of DNA, each containing 23 chromosomes, bond creating a complete cell that begins to multiply itself to create an embryo. 

This process continues, with the cells differentiating themselves to form the various parts of the human body. This development continues over a span of about nine months, to form an entirely new human being. 

Half of the genetic material contained within this newly formed human being contains traits from the sperm, and the other half contains traits from the egg. These traits contribute to physical features, sometimes abilities and talents, as well, overall health or medical conditions. 

A background in the egg donor’s DNA provides part of the needed information, with regards to potential medical conditions that could be passed on to the child. Genetic testing provides the rest of the information required. 

Genetic testing is therefore a precautionary, or preventative measure, against the passing down of  serious conditions, which could negatively impact the health and quality of life, for a child conceived using those eggs. 

Common Genetic Screenings for Donors

As we mentioned, there are two main ways that the genetic information of an egg donor is obtained. The first is through a medical history, while the second is through actual genetic testing. 

Questionnaires

Medical histories are collected using extensive questionnaires containing questions about the egg donor’s medical history, the medical history of immediate family members, as well as the medical history of family members in their extended family. There are some serious hereditary medical conditions that would have a very negative impact on embryo development and the overall future health of a child, if they were to be conceived with those eggs. As a result, any indication of serious hereditary conditions tends to disqualify that particular egg donor right away.

Genetic Carrier Testing

To find out more about an egg donor’s genes, a sample of their DNA will be required. This is done by swabbing the inner cheek to get a saliva sample, or taking a blood sample. The sample is taken to a lab where genetic carrier testing will be done. This particular testing examines the DNA to see if the egg donor could otherwise be healthy, but having markers of some of the more common hereditary conditions. Some of these could be Tay Sachs, spinal muscular atrophy, cystic fibrosis, severe hemolytic anemia, fragile  X, among others. We shall discuss how being a carrier for conditions or disease is typically evaluated.

Evaluating Recessive Genes

To determine if recessive genes can have an impact on the health of the embryo, both egg donor and sperm contributor DNA is evaluated side by side. Some recessive genes from the egg donor may have no impact on their own, but if combined with a similar recessive gene from the sperm contributor, then there could be health implications. 

This is how health odds are calculated on recessive genes: atypical genes on both sperm and egg DNA mean that there is a 25 percent chance of having a condition. If atypical genes are found in either egg or sperm only, there is a 50 percent chance of carrying the condition without being affected by it. If typical genes are found on both sperm and egg the child will not be a carrier of the condition, therefore will not be affected by it.

How Results Impact Eligibility

The genetic screening process is about ensuring that the children that are conceived from the eggs and sperm have the best chance at a healthy life from the very start. There are conditions that are easily passed down through the genes, and even with a small window of probability, they could cause very serious health problems should they affect the child. Conditions that affect brain and nerve development, or that affect blood health, result in health challenges throughout the lifetime of the child, diminishing their quality of life. As such if an egg donor is a carrier of some of these conditions, they would immediately be disqualified, even if they qualify in all other aspects. 

Conclusion

Screening an egg donor genetically is a vital step in ensuring that recipients of the eggs have a chance at building healthy families. Conditions and diseases that are passed down through the genes pose risk to this family building goal. Viable eggs are not only healthy in a physical and medical sense, they are also free of genetic complications. 

Egg donor agencies have these screening evaluations and tests in order to ensure that people who cannot build their families naturally have a chance at doing so using alternative means. As such the quality of eggs provided for these families have to be preselected on behalf of the families that will use them. Having been entrusted with such a responsibility, it is only fitting that the healthiest eggs be selected for such a noble endeavor. 

If you want to donate your eggs today, contact the Utah Fertility Center. We are happy to walk with you on this journey, as you partner with us to help others build healthy families. To know more about genetic testing, or other fertility treatments our fertility experts are happy to respond to any queries or concerns you may have. Contact us today!

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