Socio-demographic and fertility-related characteristics and motivations of oocyte donors in eleven European countries

Abstract

The study was funded by the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology. The authors declare no conflicting interests.

Sperm and oocyte bank set-up

“…Despite the existence of Europe-wide regulations in this field, the presence of national regulations, too, means that the practise of gamete donation varies greatly among EU countries (1). Taking into account the donor motivation findings reported by Pennings et al (2), in a study of oocyte donors in different European countries, we conclude that oocyte donation is motivated by two crucial elements: economic and altruistic reasons. The fundamental point to ensure there are sufficient donors to meet the demand is, undoubtedly, that of providing financial compensation for the donation.…”

“…The importance of the above-mentioned altruistic motivation in the donation of gametes was highlighted by Riggs and Russell (4). Indeed, in countries where oocyte donors cite altruism as a motivating factor, economic compensation, adjusted for purchasing power parity, is lower than in countries where donors do not refer to altruistic reasons (2). Another factor that determines the number of donors available is whether the donation occurs within a legal framework of anonymity.…”

Indian egg donors’ characteristics, motivations and feelings towards the recipient and resultant child

“…Financial remuneration has been found to be an important motivation for egg donors who donate in countries where payment is permitted, such as the USA, although this is often cited alongside altruistic motives (Almeling, 2011; Kenney and McGowan, 2010; Lindheim et al, 2001, Purewal and van den Akker, 2009). It has been argued that it should not be assumed that having financial motives for donating eggs prevents egg donors from being motivated to help others, as egg donors are likely to have more than one reason for donating (Pennings et al, 2014). Nevertheless, studies have found that egg donors who receive greater sums of money are also more likely to state financial motives (Lindheim et al, 2001, Pennings et al, 2014).…”

“…It has been argued that it should not be assumed that having financial motives for donating eggs prevents egg donors from being motivated to help others, as egg donors are likely to have more than one reason for donating (Pennings et al, 2014). Nevertheless, studies have found that egg donors who receive greater sums of money are also more likely to state financial motives (Lindheim et al, 2001, Pennings et al, 2014). …”

Preferences and needs regarding future contact with donation offspring among identity-release gamete donors: results from the Swedish Study on Gamete Donation

“…Studies have investigated donors' demographic characteristics (9,15,25), motives for donation (9, 12, 14-18, 20, 23, 25), attitudes toward anonymity/information-sharing (9,12,15,18), and views concerning the offspring (9,14). Irrespective of the type of donation, donors who are older, married, and have own biological children seem to be more open to contact with a donation offspring (7,24,26).…”