A comparison of the attitudes and motives of female and male gamete donors

Abstract

Objective: To establish demographic data and to compare attitudes and motives between female and male gamete donors. Methods: A telephone questionnaire was designed to determine demographics, attitudes, and motives regarding oocyte donation. It was administered to volunteer, anonymous oocyte donors at the University of Cincinnati. Donors were included if they had undergone oocyte aspiration from June 1995 to February 2000. Similar data for male gamete donors were obtained from the literature, and a meta-analysis was performed. Values were calculated for demographics, motivation, anonymity, and attitudes toward potential offspring. Comparisons were made between female and male donors. The Student t test was used to compare means, and the χ 2 test was used to compare proportional data. Results: Of 112 female subjects, 54 completed the questionnaire. The mean age of female donors was 27.0 years and of male donors, 27.9 years. The majority of female and male donors were Caucasian (85% and 94%, respectively). Men were significantly more likely to be single ( P <0.001). Ninety-six percent of women versus 53% of men donated for altruistic reasons ( P <0.001). Women were significantly more interested in knowing pregnancy outcomes than were men (96% and 55%, respectively). No differences existed between women and men regarding anonymity. Eleven percent of women reported feelings of responsibility toward a child resulting from their donation. However, 83% defined responsibility as related to medical need. Conclusion: Female and male gamete donors have different demographics, attitudes, and motives regarding gamete donation.