A study by Instituto Bernabeu concludes that younger oocyte donors show lower risk of embryonic aneuploidy.

Dr Jordi Suñol, gynaecologist specialised in reproductive medicine and medical coordinator at Instituto Bernabeu Palma de Mallorca, participated in the Belgian Society for Reproductive Medicine (BSRM) Congress, held on December 1st and 2nd in Mons (Belgium). In the event, Dr Suñol presented, in poster format, a study conducted at Instituto Bernabeu and led by Dr Sonia Albero and Dr Paula Moral on the relationship between the age of oocyte donors and the chances of embryonic aneuploidy in oocyte donation.

The results shed new light on important aspects related to the genetic quality of embryos and their relationship with donor age. It has been observed that younger donors, especially those under 22, have lower risk of producing pregnancies with embryonic aneuploidy. Moreover, a higher rate of aneuploidy (abnormal presence of one or more chromosomes, or absence of chromosomes, leading to an imbalance in the chromosomal endowment of the embryo) has been found among donors aged between 31 and 35 years old.

Dr Suñol pointed out the importance of these findings for clinical practice in assisted reproduction, noting that “understanding the relationship between the donor’s age and the genetic study of the embryos is crucial to optimise the results of fertility treatments”. In this sense, the doctor insisted that “further analysis will be needed to confirm these new findings and it is necessary to approach each case individually and consider the different factors that may influence the outcome of the treatment”.

This study contributes significantly to the advancement of knowledge in reproductive medicine and offers new information to improve the efficacy of fertility treatments based on oocyte donation. It is also important to transmit the conclusions of this study in order to inform couples and women who wish to become mothers about the importance of not postponing their childbearing plans, as it has been shown that older age affects embryo quality.