Rewinding the biological clock: oocyte donation in older women

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October 2002 · Vol. 14, No. 10

Rewinding the biological clock: oocyte donation in older women

As recently as a decade ago, oocyte donation was limited to young women with premature ovarian failure. Since then, the strategy’s high success rates have been duplicated in patients over 40, making it one of the most reliable fertility methods for women in this age group.

RICHARD J. PAULSON, MD

Dr. Paulson is professor of OBG and chief of the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility at the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in Los Angeles.

KEY POINTS

Oocyte donation to women of advanced reproductive age is similar to donation to younger recipients, although precycle screening is more extensive.
Although the incidence of gestational diabetes and preeclampsia appears to be increased in women over 40, neonatal outcomes are roughly equivalent to those of younger women.
Relatively few women over 50 seek ART; to date, fewer than 300 pregnancies have been reported in this age group worldwide.

The age-related decline in human fertility is a well-documented phenomenon. Studies in natural populations have clearly shown that as women get older, birth rates decrease—an effect that first becomes apparent at approximately 30 years of age.¹

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