Egg donor database

Thoroughly tested and qualified egg donors

Each week additional donors are added to the database as new or repeat donors qualify to donate. You can modify your search based on specific criteria; ethnicity, height, hair or eye color. We encourage patients to limit the number of criteria, as to allow for a larger selection of donors to view. Each donors profile will include extensive information regarding that donor; her physical characteristics, health history, genetic diseases results, family health history, education, interests and hobbies. Each donor provides childhood photos and many of our donors have consented to showing their current adult photographs.

In June 2014, we have markedly increased the degree of our donor genetic screening as improved technologies have become available. This type of genetic screening is not yet frequently done on couples who are planning on having a baby, but is a routine part of our screening for donor egg candidates.

Based upon when the donor was screened, she would have been tested for a panel of 14 genetics tests, or the current panel, which is over a hundred genetic tests. The level of screening is based upon the standards at the time of the donor’s application, and acceptance into the program, and will be listed as part of her profile.

Many people in the population – including many of us – are carriers of a number of genetic mutations. We do not have any disease, but all of our cells including eggs and sperm are carriers for it. The more comprehensive the screening, the more mutations are picked up. If the donor is a carrier, half of her eggs will carry the particular mutation and half will not. If the carrier mutation in the donor’s egg is matched with the same carrier mutation found in half the sperm on average 25% of the offspring will therefore have that disorder (these are referred to as Autosomal Recessive Gene Disorders). The clinical consequences of any such genetic disorder present a broad range, from very serious to the very minor, and quite a number even may be clinically non-existent. A donor, even if she is a carrier of some autosomal recessive genetic mutation for which we screen, may be considered to be chosen by you if the male partner is screened and found negative for the same mutations.

As it takes considerable time to run, analyze, and review the genetic screening results, the only way to provide patients with information upon which they can make a decision about choosing any particular donor is to also have the male partner screened as early in the process as possible to see which mutations, if any, he may carry. Once test results come back, you can decide, with the help of a trained genetic counselor, which donor might be most suitable to you among choices you may have.

Genetic screening is done through Counsyl, an independent laboratory for all donor and non-donor genetic screening. It is also important to remember that genetic screening tests while highly accurate and markedly reduce risk, cannot bring a level of absolute certainty in screening anyone, either the donor or the male partner for genetic mutations.

To match with a donor who has completed her screening, and is in the donor database ready to be selected, the male genetic screening must be performed and results available in advance.We also understand that many current male recipients have not been screened for genetic diseases, and are therefore encouraged to select a donor that is not a carrier for any genetic diseases.

To maintain quality and security for patients, an access code is required to view the database.