A follow-up study of women who donated oocytes to known recipient couples for altruistic reasons.

BACKGROUND: Current legislation in Canada allows for only altruistic gamete donation. Limited clinical data are available on the emotional and psychological impact of altruistic oocyte donation on known donors.
METHODS: Seventeen women who had donated oocytes to known parties without financial compensation agreed to receive the oocyte donation questionnaire (ODQ) to explore the psychological domains of altruistic oocyte donation.
RESULTS: Thirteen ODQ were returned, giving a response rate of 76%. All subjects indicated that they were primarily motivated by a 'desire to give and help' the recipient couple. Most subjects did not find the donation decision difficult but some found the post-donation psychological adjustments challenging. Subjects also indicated that mandatory counselling on the psychological implications of oocyte donation was an important component of cycle preparation. The majority of subjects had disclosed the donation to others and felt that disclosure to the presumptive child was essential.
CONCLUSIONS: The findings provide clinical materials for conceptualizing the dynamics entailed by known altruistic oocyte donation, with regards to motivation, relationship implications, donor satisfaction and plans for disclosure. The data support the provision of psycho-social support services to help donors dealing with any residual emotional difficulties regardless of the outcome of oocyte donation.