Egg Donor Selection by Egg Donation Recipients

Once a fertility organization deems a woman eligible to donate eggs based on her screening process, her selection is entirely up to potential egg donor recipients.  Some recipients choose their donor based on her profile, while others choose a donor whom they already know.  Donor selection is a complex process that involves several influences.

Factors that Affect Donor Selection

Several issues will play a role in the selection of an egg donor by recipients.  Some of these factors include:

• Age: As a woman reaches her late 30s, the quality of her eggs diminishes, potentially reducing the recipient's chances of successful impregnation. 
• Physical/personality characteristics: Recipients may base their choice, in part, on a donor's personality or physical traits that could be passed on to the child, including ethnic or cultural background and IQ. 
• Availability for future donations: A donor's willingness to contribute eggs in the future is important to recipients seeking to parent genetically-related siblings. 
• Ability to fulfill obligations in egg donation: Potential recipients may be wary of choosing a donor who has not proven the mental stability to follow through with her obligations in the egg donation. 
• Infectious or genetic diseases: An infectious disease can be passed from donor to recipient, and a genetic disease from donor to child. 

The Donor-Recipient Relationship

Some recipients prefer a "designated donor" (with whom they have a preexisting relationship), while others prefer an "anonymous donor" (with whom they have no relationship).  Anonymous programs keep the identity of the donor completely confidential, while open programs allow donors to permit contact by the child at a later date; to meet the recipients; or to establish relationships with the recipients.  The donor-recipient relationship affects the privacy of both parties as well as the amount of genetic information a recipient has for the child in the future.

Contact an Egg Donation Expert

Women considering egg donation should be aware of the factors affecting the selection process.  For more detailed information on egg donation and the selection of donors, locate a skilled egg donation expert in your area.