Survey results on the current practice of ovum donation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate how many programs currently have an ovum donor program and to examine the current state of the art in ovum donor programs regarding management, screening, and implementation. DESIGN: Surveys were sent to members of the Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) and the Psychological Special Interest Group of the American Fertility Society. RESULTS: Of 160 SART members, 82 surveys were returned. Psychological Special Interest Group surveys were excluded. A trend toward more third party reproduction was seen. There was little uniformity among programs regarding medical or psychological screening. Differences were seen between the screening and administration of ovum and sperm donation. CONCLUSIONS: Unlike sperm donation, ovum donation has begun in the known donor realm. Medical and psychological screening is currently limited in many ovum donor programs and highly variable with both known and anonymous donors. Most programs do use a mental health person as part of the screening process. More guidelines are needed to provide uniformity for the current practice of ovum donation.