May 8, 2001

Healthy, non-smoking women between the ages of 21 and 33 are needed to help fulfill the dreams of couples on a waiting list for the Anonymous Egg Donation Program at the Center for Advanced Reproductive Services at the UConn Health Center.

"Specifically, egg donation helps women who are unable to conceive because they cannot produce healthy eggs," says advanced reproductive specialist Donald B. Maier. "This can be caused by several problems such as premature ovarian failure, genetic abnormalities, or advanced maternal age.

"For many couples that have struggled with infertility, egg donation has been a very successful treatment. Egg donation allows the woman who conceives the opportunity to carry and nurture the pregnancy, and establish a biologic relationship with the child," he explains.

In 1987, the Health Center was the first site in New England to help women conceive using donated eggs.

The egg donation process involves many steps. First, potential egg donors and recipients undergo extensive medical and psychological screenings. Then, recipients are placed on medications to stimulate the development of a receptive uterine lining. At the same time, the donor is placed on medications to stimulate the development of multiple follicles within the ovary. When the follicles are mature, a procedure is performed to remove the egg from the donor's ovary.

The eggs are then fertilized in a lab with the sperm of the recipient's partner. The embryo develops in the lab for three days until they are transferred into the recipient's uterus. Donors are compensated $5,000 for their effort.

To learn more about becoming a donor, call (860) 679-2430, or visit the center's website.

Maureen McGuire