| |
How are the donors screened?To be accepted to the program, candidate donors must be under 35 years of age, healthy, of good appearance and without any significant medical or hereditary issues. External characteristics (hair color, eye color, height, weight) are recorded in order to find the right match for each recipient.
A very detailed history of their past will be completed for each donor, including lifestyle, family and level of education.
Medical examination Donor candidates undergo a range of blood and genetic tests to ascertain that they are in good physical and reproductive health. These examinations include:
infectious diseases (Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, VDRL, HIV I and II)
Blood type and Rhesus type
Full blood count
Check for anemia
Testing for Cystic Fibrosis
Hormonal control
Test of coagulation mechanisms
Pap Smear
Τhey undergo as well a vaginal ultrasound examination to determine the accurate position and function of their ovaries.
Genetic screening
The genetic testing of all potential egg donors is a very important part of their screening at Embryolab. The aim is to maximize the chances for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby.
All potential donors go through a series of steps:
Personal interviewAt this stage the specialised counsellor receives a detailed family history of the potential donor whereby the good health of the donor as well as her immediate family is confirmed. Candidate donors with a family history of medical disorders such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, or various cancers are excluded.
Peripheral blood karyotypeThe karyotype check on all donors is a basic part of the genetic screening. Candidate donors shown to have some chromosomal abnormality are immediately rejected from the egg donation program.
Screening for common single-gene disordersThalassemia and cystic fibrosis are two of the most frequent gene disorders found in the Caucasian population. Checking all candidate donors for these 2 hereditary conditions is a part of the initial genetic check. Any candidate confirmed with one of the two above conditions is rejected immediately.
Additional genetic screeningFor those who are carriers of other genetic conditions such as Fanconi anemia, Tay-Sachs, Fragile X and hemophilia, additional genetic screening may be undergone to exclude the likelihood of the child inheriting such a condition.
Genetic screening for rare mutationsAny individual may carry certain rare mutations. The chances of such rare mutations expressing themselves are extremely few and can only happen when the spermatozoa and the oocyte carry the same mutation. The conducting of a more extensive check on the candidate donor renders the donor program that much safer, thus ensuring the birth of a healthy child.
|
|
|
|
