The acceptability of posthumous human ovarian tissue donation in Utah.
BACKGROUND
Infertility due to accelerated loss of ovarian follicles/oocytes may occur through numerous mechanisms. As a result, posthumous human oocyte donation, banking and maturation protocols for research and fertility restoration are current interests in reproductive medicine.


METHODS
A computer-generated sample of Utah residents (n = 704) were surveyed regarding demographics, willingness to donate organs, IVF acceptability and posthumous follicle/oocyte donation for: research, fertilization with monitoring to the preembryo stage (eight cells), and fertilization and subsequent transfer of embryos derived from themselves, their partner or non-spousal relative for whom they act as guardian.


RESULTS
Ovarian tissue donation for follicle/oocyte retrieval, maturation and scientific investigation without fertilization was acceptable (>or=70%) to a majority of the Utah population. However, fertilization of oocytes or fertilization and transfer of resulting preembyos derived from such donations to cause a pregnancy was less acceptable (58.3% and 57.4%, respectively) in the population responding for their own or partner's oocytes, and more so when the donation was guardian-directed (54.8% and 52.1%, respectively). Similar declines in the level of acceptance were noted when those who had an express interest in such donations (ovarian failure or surgical castration) were surveyed (n = 50).


CONCLUSIONS
This study substantiates the ethical recommendation that explicit prior written consent of the donor be obtained when ovarian tissue donations are procured for fertilization, or transfer of a preembryo to cause a pregnancy. In light of the rapid technological advancements in ovarian follicle/oocyte cryopreservation and maturation, the time may have come to provide potential organ donors the opportunity to specify their desires regarding ovarian tissues when registering for organ donation.
Mizukami
Akiyasu
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asahikawa Medical College, Hokkaido, Japan.
Peterson
C Matthew
CM
Huang
Ivan
I
Cook
Christopher
C
Boyack
Lisa M
LM
Emery
Benjamin R
BR
Carrell
Douglas T
DT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015925:Cryopreservation; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018587:Oocyte Donation / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology; D009865:Oocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D010053:Ovary / Q000637:transplantation*; D016649:Primary Ovarian Insufficiency / Q000628:therapy; D012067:Religion; D012984:Software; D013997:Time Factors; D014019:Tissue Donors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000379:methods; D014589:Utah