A thorough interrogation into the egg sharing programme in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Abstract (Aims)

The aims of this thesis were to thoroughly explore all clinical aspects of egg sharing, to generate data that can be put forward to add to the long term ethical debate surrounding its practice. The thesis comprises five studies. The first component was to perform two systematic reviews to provide an up-to-date analysis of psychosocial factors surrounding egg sharing, from the point of view of the egg share donor and recipient. The motives, attitudes and treatment experiences of egg sharers and recipients will be investigated, as well as any issues about disclosure and non-anonymity. The second study examines the views and knowledge healthcare professionals in the UK have towards egg sharing, as well as the proportion of them who have actually referred a patient for egg sharing. The third study investigates oocyte donors and recipients who were treated at Lister Fertility Clinic between 2012-2019. The study aims to investigate their motivations, attitudes, and treatment experiences towards oocyte donation. The study will also investigate the issue of disclosure about the nature of their conception. Study IV examines whether egg sharing compromises the chance of the donor or their recipient having successful treatment, with a comparison also being made to the treatment outcomes of standard IVF patients and non-egg share recipients. Study V investigated the general public in the UK and their knowledge and perceptions of female fertility decline, as well as their knowledge and perceptions towards egg sharing. Both a systematic review and also a study to survey the general public will be performed. In conclusion, the work from this thesis has provided strong evidence in support of egg sharing, and its findings can be used to potentially increase the recruitment of egg sharers as well as improve the clinical care egg sharers and recipients receive.