Psychological aspects of egg donation
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the psychological attitudes, motivations and experiences of oocyte donors and recipients
IRAS ID
216136
Contact name
Timothy Bracewell-Milnes
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Imperial College London and Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 1 months, 30 days
Research summary
Oocyte donation is a technique that started in the early 1980s (Trouson et al, 1993), and has been made possible because of IVF. There are two patients involved in oocyte donation: the donor and the recipient, who are both trying to achieve a pregnancy. Egg donation offers an answer for infertile women with ovarian conditions, such as primary ovarian insufficiency. Demand for oocyte donors has been on the rise globally, with couples increasingly using it as a means to overcome their infertility (Pennings, 2007).
This study aims to explore in detail the psychological aspects of egg donation from the point of view of the donor and recipient. It will explore their motivations for donation, explore egg donors and recipients feelings about each other, their donation experiences, as well as their attitudes towards disclosure of donor origins and contact between donor and offspring in the future.
The study will also explore the attitudes of healthcare professionals (HCPs) towards egg donation, and whether this is having any potential effect on egg donation numbers in the UK.
REC name
London - Riverside Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/1491
Date of REC Opinion
11 Oct 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion