Perceived negative consequences of donor gametes from male and female members of infertile couples.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the views toward donor sperm and eggs of both men and women. The use of donor sperm or ova becomes an option for some infertile couples.


METHODS
Prospective cohort of infertile couples.


METHODS
Eight California reproductive endocrinology practices.


METHODS
Infertile couples (n=377) were recruited after an initial infertility clinic visit.


METHODS
From questionnaires administered at recruitment, ratings concerning the impact of the use of donor gametes were assessed. Differences between men and women in attitudes toward donor gametes were compared with analysis of variance (ANOVA). Linear regression was used to identify independent predictors of attitudes toward gametes.


RESULTS
Women's attitudes toward donor sperm were significantly more negative than their attitudes toward donor eggs (5.1+/-1.4 vs. 4.7+/-1.6). Similarly, male donor gamete attitude scores were higher for donor sperm compared with donor eggs (4.9+/-1.6 vs. 4.1+/-1.6). Both men and women agreed that the use of donor sperm was more likely to have negative effects on their relationship and negative societal ramifications. Female donor gamete attitude scores were predicted by marital status, race, and education, whereas men's scores were independent of all measured factors.


CONCLUSIONS
Both men and women view the use of donor sperm with more skepticism compared with the use of donor eggs, suggesting a unique underlying perception regarding the use of male donor gametes.
Eisenberg
Michael L
ML
Department of Urology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0738, USA. meisenberg@urology.ucsf.edu
Smith
James F
JF
Millstein
Susan G
SG
Walsh
Thomas J
TJ
Breyer
Benjamin N
BN
Katz
Patricia P
PP
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012067:Religion; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult