How Are Russian Egg Donors Chosen?

By (embryologist) and (invitra staff).
Last Update: 03/30/2020

Egg donation in Russia can be done in different ways. On the one hand, the legislation allows the woman who donates the eggs to receive financial compensation or, if established, to do so altruistically.

On the other hand, there are also two options regarding the identity of the donor: anonymous donation and non-anonymous or known donation.

Depending on the option chosen, the selection of the egg donor will be made by the future parents or the clinic or fertility center where the in vitro fertilization (IVF) technique will be carried out.

Provided below is an index with the 3 points we are going to expand on in this article.

Egg donor screening

First of all, donors must pass a series of medical checks to show that their state of health is adequate and that they are fit to donate. Family members or close friends of patients who opt for non-anonymous donation must also pass these tests in order to continue with the treatment.

Among the tests performed on both anonymous and family donors, we'll find:

  • Evaluation of a GP about the candidate's health condition
  • HIV-1 and HIV-2
  • Hepatitis B and C
  • Chlamydia trachomatis
  • Blood and coagulation analysis
  • Smear tests of the urethra and cervix
  • Psychological evaluation
  • Genetic screeing
  • Urine analyisis

Types of egg donors

Generally, the processes of egg donation are carried out anonymously. In fact, there are many fertility centers that only accept this alternative.

Since future parents are not allowed to know the identity of the donor, nor will the donor have any information about the woman or couple receiving her eggs, the selection of the most suitable candidate is made by the staff of the fertility clinic.

Although the identity and personal information of the donor will never be offered to recipients, recipients can obtain general information from the woman who donates the eggs. Some of the data allowed are:

  • Blood group
  • Rh Factor
  • Physical characteristics such as eye color and shape, hair color and type, skin tone, height, weight...
  • Educational level
  • The children she’s had
  • Date of birth

Some fertility centers also offer photographs of the children the donor has had. Russian legislation does not allow either donor agencies or fertility clinics to offer photographs of the egg donor herself.

It is important to determine that all donor candidates who are finally selected as such must be between 18 and 35 years old, have previously been mothers of a healthy child, and pass a series of medical and psychological tests that demonstrate their good health.

Known donors

Although anonymous egg donation is most common, Russian law allows patients to meet the woman who will help them become parents through the donation of their eggs.

If the woman or couple who is going to follow the egg donation treatment wants to meet the woman who will act as the donor, the close family or friendship relationship between both parties must be demonstrated. The identity of the donor is not allowed to be known if the donor is an unknown person.

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Author

 Andrea Rodrigo
Andrea Rodrigo
B.Sc., M.Sc.
Embryologist
Bachelor's Degree in Biotechnology from the Polytechnic University of Valencia. Master's Degree in Biotechnology of Human Assisted Reproduction from the University of Valencia along with the Valencian Infertility Institute (IVI). Postgraduate course in Medical Genetics. More information about Andrea Rodrigo
Adapted into english by:
 Romina Packan
Romina Packan
inviTRA Staff
Editor and translator for the English and German edition of inviTRA. More information about Romina Packan

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