Factors related to preferences in gamete donor sources.
OBJECTIVE
To survey fertile and infertile individuals concerning attitudes about donor insemination and ovum donation and to analyze whether gender, experience with infertility, and religion influences: [1] preference for choosing gamete donor over adoption or child-free living; [2] choice of selecting a known or anonymous donor; or [3] choice of disclosure or nondisclosure to any offspring.


METHODS
Patients in an infertility clinic and obstetrics and gynecology practice were asked to complete surveys.


METHODS
Three hundred nineteen individuals who completed surveys.


METHODS
A 14-item questionnaire (created for this study) with a demographic information section.


RESULTS
No gender differences were observed for preference to use donor gametes, to adopt, or to live child free within the infertility group. In the obstetrics and gynecology group, men preferred adoption more than women and were less likely to use a donor. Choice of whether to use a donor, which donor source, and whether to disclose the use of a donor was influenced by gender, experience with infertility, and religion.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender, experience with infertility, and religion influence an individual's choice in family building options as well as what information will be shared with the child. There is a wider acceptance of using known donor sources than has heretofore been seen and these options should be explored.
Pennsylvania Reproductive Associates, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.
A M
AM
Braverman
S L
SL
Corson
D000300:Adoption; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D018587:Oocyte Donation; D012016:Reference Values; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires