Limoges Fishmonger Donates Oocytes, Advocates for Gamete Donation
Limoges, France – Jennifer, a fishmonger from Haute-Vienne, is sharing her experience as an oocyte donor to encourage others to consider helping families build their futures. Her story comes as France sees a rise in gamete donation, though demand still outpaces supply.
For ten days, Jennifer visited the Limoges CHU hospital every two days for ovarian stimulation monitoring before her egg retrieval. Prior to this, the medical team conducted thorough examinations to ensure she understood the process and provided fully informed consent, offering “the greatest care,” according to Jennifer.”I am very lucky,because they were great with me,and I thank them. it just looks like giving blood and it’s really easy to do,” she emphasized.
The Biomedicine Agency sets donation criteria at 18-37 years old for women and 18-44 years old for men, with a requirement for good health. In 2023, Jennifer was one of 65 oocyte donors in the New Aquitaine region.
Jennifer’s motivation mirrors her reasons for donating blood: a desire to help those in need, break down societal taboos, and contribute to a more tolerant society. She openly discussed her decision with family, friends, and her employer – a large retail chain that accommodated her hospital visits. “I decided to explain to everyone what I was doing. I have no problem with that, on the contrary and I only had positive feedback.My loved ones are proud of me… If it can unlock things and open the mentalities, I would be the happiest.”
A recent Biomedicine Agency barometer shows 76% of French people support gamete donation, but only 13% are prepared to become donors themselves.
Jennifer renewed her donation commitment in January 2024. She acknowledges she won’t know the outcome of her donations or the identities of recipients, but remains open to future contact. A 2021 bioethics law now allows children conceived through donation to access non-identifying information about their donor – including physical characteristics and motivations – upon reaching adulthood. “I will always be open if someone wishes to ask me questions or chat with me… it is a real happiness,” Jennifer stated.
