KEY POINTS

• University of Ibadan has expressed doubts about using student eggs as donation material.
• The paper demonstrates how egg donation can present health dangers for donors together with crucial ethical questions.
• All students need professional medical consultation before considering egg donation.

The University of Ibadan demonstrated its concern regarding increasing numbers of female students who join egg donation programs for in vitro fertilisation (IVF) because it raises important ethical and health risks.

Health risks and ethical concerns about student egg donation

On April 15, 2025 Dr. Aderonke B. Ajayi as Director of Health Services issued a health advisory that explained how egg donation provides hope to infertile couples but don’t do it for money because it might damage fertility and create health issues.

Short-term and long-term health risks of student egg donation

Individuals who donate eggs need to use hormonal medications which produce several short-term adverse effects including abdominal pain, mood swings and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) and infection. Health professionals have identified fertility loss as one of the future threats related to egg donation practice. Current evidence for the safety parameters and egg donation frequency remains ambiguous and causes additional medical concerns.

Recommendations and ethical guidelines

Student donors should get expert healthcare guidance before pursuing egg donation according to the advisory while the board suggests no person donate eggs more than three times annually. Donors should choose clinics which maintain both safety standards for donors and adherence to official guidelines.

Promoting awareness and education

The medical community stresses that all prospective donors must understand both clinical and moral aspects of egg donation because it helps them make voluntary choices which safeguard their mental state and physical health.