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What is Egg Donation in IVF?

In vitro fertilization (IVF) with egg donation is an assisted reproductive technology that allows a recipient woman to achieve pregnancy using the eggs of an anonymous or known donor (in case the donor is a family member or a relative).

Indications for Donor Egg -

Egg Donation in IVF is usually not the treatment of first choice when a woman or couple visits a fertility clinic, as patients usually want to attempt pregnancy with their own gametes first.

However, the situations in which Egg Donation is clearly indicated are as follows:

  • Patients without ovarian function, either due to primary ovarian failure, premature ovarian failure, absence of ovaries or menopause.
  • Patients with ovarian function, but who cannot use their own eggs due to transmissible genetic abnormalities, repeated failures in previous IVF cycles or because they are over 43 years of age.
  • Woman with Poor Ovarian Response
  • Diminished egg quality after 35years of age
  • Premature ovarian failure in which menopause has begun earlier than usual
  • Elderly or Menopausal women
  • A history of repeated pregnancy failure
  • Young women undergone radiation or chemotherapy
  • Women with some chromosomal defect
  • Patients with Tuberculosis & Endometriosis

According to new ART ACT 2021, Donor should be screened and supply by ART Bank and there would be a legal contract between donor and recipient. Donor needs to be under go certain blood test and other tests to see the fitness. One donor can donate eggs only one recipient couple only.

Regulation for ART Banks as per new ART law 2021

The ART Act 2021 has been enacted to provide a legal framework for the regulation and supervision of ART banks in the country. The Act sets out clear rules and guidelines for the establishment and operation of ART banks. It mandates that all ART banks must be registered with the National Registry of ART Banks (NRAB) and obtain a license from the National ART Authority (NAA) before commencing operations.

ART banks will be responsible for the collection, monitoring and registration of donors whether it is a sperm donor or egg donors.

They must maintain proper records of all the donors recruited and any changes should be informed to the National Registry.

What are the roles and responsibilities of an ART Bank?

The duties of an ART Bank defined by ART LAW 2021 are as follows:

1. Shall be solely responsible for Screening, and registration of egg donor.

2. Shall ensure the eligibility of gamete donors for donation. The eligibility criteria are:

a. Age Limits:

  • Female Donor/Egg Donor :    23 – 35 years of age

b. Donors should be medically tested negative for 4 diseases as listed below:

  • HIV
  • HbSAg
  • VDRL
  • HCV
  • Apart from these other tests from FORM 24B include Blood grouping and Rh status, CBP, RBS, Blood rea, Serum Creatinine, SGPT, CUE, Hemoglobin A2 status, Sexually transmitted diseases and Any other specific tests

3. Shall not supply the oocyte of a single donor to more than one couple.

4. Ensure that the information regarding the Donor shall be kept confidential and information about treatment shall not be disclosed to anyone except to the database to be maintained by the National Registry or by an order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

5. A new rule has been made for oocyte donors. The ministry has made it compulsory for the ART banks to make sure that the couple buys general health insurance coverage and life insurance policy in favor of the donor for a period of at least one year and from a company or an agent recognized by the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority. Also, the commissioning couple and donor needs to sign an affidavit which must be sworn before a Metropolitan Magistrate or a Judicial Magistrate of first class or an Executive Magistrate or a Notary Public giving a guarantee as per ART Act,2021.

Why do we need ART Banks?

According to new ART ACT 2021, Donor should be screened and supply by ART Bank to the ART clinics.

  • ART Banks are boon to couples who otherwise cannot conceive using their own gametes either due to complete absence of gametes or due to lack of healthy gametes.
  • ART Bank ensures that the Donors selected or screened for donation are free from communicable diseases
  • They assist in prevention of misuse or over use of single donor gamete for multiple couples.
  • They also aid to restrict over exploitation of oocyte donors by restricting donation to one time alone by strict monitoring and record maintenance through National Registry

Who are the Egg Donors?

Egg donors are healthy, young women who are of childbearing age (usually between 23-35 years old) and usually have at least one child of their own. A woman is approved as an egg donor only after she is thoroughly evaluated medically, physically, and psychologically, screened for infectious diseases, assessed for ovarian reserve, and has signed all the necessary legal paperwork.

For more details on Egg Oocyte Donation to achieve healthy pregnancy, consult the best IVF Fertility Treatment Center in Hyderabad, Sree Nandaka Fertility & Laparoscopy Hospital ART BANK