Egg donation is becoming a booming business in Nigeria as young ladies are donating their egg to fertility clinics for several reasons including monetary gains. Even though not so many people are familiar with it, it is not a big deal as it can be likened with blood donation which is being carried out in several health facilities.

Despite the mild pain, some ladies are bent on going through the rigorous process to get money as it most times comes with financial benefit. Irrespective of the economic situation in the country, some ladies do it to help others have their babies.

Speaking with The Hope, the Medical Director of a private fertility clinic in Oba-Ile, Dr. Akinbowale Eniowo, noted that it is encouraging for ladies to donate their egg to registered facility centres describing it as a reproductive technique aimed at helping others to have children.

While noting that a lot of factors are responsible for infertility, he explained that the appropriate age for egg donation is between age 20 and 30 years so as to obtain the desired result.

He said that the age range was chosen to guarantee suitable egg, noting that the process isn’t commercialized.

He explained that donors are gotten based on demand, adding that his facility do not give room for ladies to donate their egg unwillingly.

Describing it as a control process, he said; “The egg donors don’t hang on the street. It is in phase and appropriate drug is used for it. People donate their egg but it is not usually for sale but due to economic situation, they demand for a token which they claim to use for feeding, school fees etc.

“When we are in need and we advertise or they know your centre for it, mostly those in the laboratory get them for us. At times, some come for the process but are above the age range. When this occurs, we investigate. Some within the target age group are not just suitable for donation and this we discover after we take their blood sample.”

Eniowo while stating that a female adult has about 5000 eggs, noted that donors do not know the recipients of their egg advising young ladies not to go through the process more than two times in their lifetime in order to avoid health implication in future.

“The process, according to him, attract monetary gain from some donors while others do it to help those in need. The process is like a delivery hence, it is not advisable to donate more than two times.”

He stressed the need to discourage young ladies from going through the process for monetary gain.

He said: “Egg donation is important to help those who do not have good eggs. Some people cannot conceive due to old age or disease conditions. There is a government policy on this but not usually for sale. Due to the economic situation, donors demand for token for either school fee, rent and feeding among others.

“When some ladies come around for it, they are investigated. Some are not even suitable for donation even when they are within the age range for donation.

“Donors are tested and cross matched after which they are given medication to produce egg. They don’t know the people they donate for and vice versa. The donated egg is transferred to recipients which is used for IVF. It is a control process, it has phase and appropriate drug is used for it. The price depend on the bargain with donor. Most times, the donors have next of kin and we don’t commercialize it.

“It is supposed to be two or three egg that is transferred to the recipient but one can transfer about 10 eggs because not all of them will be matured.

“The process should not be more than two times in a lifetime because it is like a delivery.”

An experienced Nurse, Oyinkansola Oluseye in another fertility clinic in Oluwatuyi area of Akure, stated that a test is always carried out for donors between the age of 18 and 26 years for maximum result.

She explained that she has attended to not less than 20 patients which has been successful handled the cases, noting that it is not advisable for ladies above the age of 26 to undergo the process.

Oluseye described the life span to be between four and five times, adding that it is advisable medically to be limited to three times. She advised donors to get married on time so as to be fertile at the appropriate time.

According to her, donors come into the facility without invitation, noting that they are being paid the sum of N100,000 for the process.The egg being donated are used for others with infertility health challenge, adding that in some cases, the donated egg may not fertilise.

Her words: “The appropriate age for the process is between 18 and 26 years and we do carry out some tests to know their capability. Some people have low AMH while that of others is high. We manage some with low AMH with the administration of a special injection on them.

“It is a process which is being started with the administration of a drug with a dosage of 21 days. On the 17th day, an injection is given to the donor after which she completes the remaining drug.

“A lady can donate about two or three times before giving birth but the life span is between four and five times. As health professionals, we advise a maximum of three times and donors should get married on time in order to get pregnant at the appropriate time.

“Those above the age of 26 years do not have quality eggs, hence, they are not advised to go through the process.”

Speaking on the side effects, she listed abdominal tenderness which she said can be cured with the intake of fruits and adequate water intake alongside antibiotics medication.

The donated egg according to her is used for IVF adding that there have been cases of inadequate egg which she said amounted to waste of money on the part of the clinic.

Also speaking with The Hope, a student, Bisi Adeleke said that “there is no big deal in it. It is better for a lady to donate her egg and be paid than venture into prostitution. Although, I don’t have anyone around me that needs my egg but if the opportunity comes my way, I will do it with all gladness.”

A 32-year-old lady, Miss Blessing Olagunju, said she could only donate her egg for a close relatives in need adding that she can never monetize it no matter the offered. She added that the donation will only be done after she’d stopped childbearing.