Does a Surrogate Mother Share DNA with the Baby?

ne of the primary concerns of couples struggling with infertility choose surrogacy abroad to build their families revolves around genetics and epigenetics in surrogacy: Does a surrogate mother share DNA with the baby? Will the child look like the surrogate mother? Can the surrogate pass on her genetic disorders? These are natural questions for intended parents.

In this article, we explain how genetics and DNA transfer work in surrogacy. Read on to learn more.

What is DNA?

DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the most fundamental body molecule that is consists of two long strands and carries all genetic information and instructions essential for growth, development, functioning, and reproduction. DNA is packaged in chromosomes and passed from parents to their child during fertilization.

How DNA is Transferred to the Baby in Surrogacy?

Genetic material comes from both the father (through sperm) and the mother (through the egg). In IVF surrogacy, the embryo is created in the lab using the intended parents’ egg and sperm (or donor gametes). The surrogate mother only provides the womb, not the egg—unless she is also the egg donor.

Types of DNA and gene transfer in surrogacy are as follows:

Reproductive Transfer

In this type of DNA transfer, DNA comes only from the egg and sperm. If the intended mother’s egg is used, the surrogate contributes no DNA. If the surrogate donates her egg, then half of the child’s DNA comes from her.

Bidirectional Transfer

Very rarely, a few cells may pass between the surrogate and the fetus through the placenta. However, this exchange is too small to affect the baby’s appearance or core genetics.

Environmental Transfer

The surrogate’s nutrition, hormones, and lifestyle may influence how some genes are expressed (turned on/off). This does not change the DNA sequence itself.



How Surrogates Affect the Baby's DNA?

The surrogate’s womb provides the environment for fetal growth. Factors such as her uterine health, immune system compatibility, diet, and lifestyle can influence how some genes in the baby are expressed (turned on or off). However, the surrogate cannot alter the baby’s actual DNA sequence.



Does A Surrogate Share mtDNA with The Baby?

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), is a type of DNA is only passed on through the egg. Therefore, the baby will only have the mtDNA of the egg provider (the intended mother or the egg donor), not the surrogate.

Does A Surrogate Share RNA with The Baby?

RNA or Ribonucleic acid is a single-stranded molecule that helps with translating genetic information into proteins. Like DNA, RNA is only passed through biological mother egg. However, In Bidirectional Transfer of DNA, a very small amount may pass via the placenta, but this only affects gene activity—not the DNA itself.



Final Word

If both sperm and egg come from the intended parents, the baby will not inherit DNA from the surrogate mother. While the surrogate’s womb environment can influence gene expression, it does not change the baby’s genetic sequence.

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FAQs on the Genetics of Surrogacy

1.Can a surrogate pass her genetic disorders to the baby?

No. Since the surrogate does not provide the egg, the baby cannot inherit her genetic conditions.

2.Can surrogacy cause genetic mutations in the baby?

Surrogacy is a safe and widely used infertility treatment that does not cause any genetic risks or DNA mutations.

3.Will a baby look like the surrogate mother?

The child inherits traits from the egg and sperm providers, not the surrogate.