The use of human gonadotrophin of pituitary origin (follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH)) had stopped in the UK by 1986. The situation in other countries varied so specific dates cannot be given.
Metrodin HP® was withdrawn by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in 2003 and following advice from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency the precautionary principle has been applied to withdraw donors who have been treated with this product. Donors treated for infertility after 2003 in the UK will not have been treated with this product. There is no need to confirm that the donor was not treated with Metrodin HP®. Donors may have received other non-pituitary derived gonadotrophins which are acceptable.
Recipients of donated eggs, embryos and sperm are eligible to donate. This is in accordance with the SaBTO Microbiological Safety Guidelines.
Donors who have undergone egg donation, egg collection for fertility preservation, and surgical sperm retrieval should be assessed regarding any hormone treatment they have received and using the Surgery entry.
Fertility preservation is available for:
- Individuals undergoing treatment (for cancer but also for some benign conditions) that puts them at risk of becoming infertile.
- Individuals considering gender transitioning.
- Elective social egg freezing; for individuals who wish to delay fertility.
Reasons that donors may be undergoing treatments and procedures for fertility include Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), Endometriosis, testicular problems, genetic conditions. For one in four individuals the cause of their fertility problems may not be known. Sensitive questioning may be needed to establish any underlying cause or associations that may be relevant to the donor’s health and eligibility.
Donors with inherited conditions e.g. mitochondrial disease may undergo fertility-related diagnostic and assistance treatments and procedures. Unaffected carriers may be eligible to donate if they otherwise fulfil the criteria.
|