Long-term follow-up of a national sample of 92 sperm and 123 oocyte donors’ mental health and satisfaction - 14-17 years after open-identity donation in Sweden

Research question Research on mental and physical health, and satisfaction after donation among open-identity gamete donors is scarce. Thus, the current study aimed to investigate open-identity gamete donors’ mental health and their satisfaction with their contributions 14-17 years after acceptance as a donor. Design The Swedish Study on Gamete Donation is a longitudinal study, comprising women and men who were accepted as donors at seven Swedish university clinics during 2005-2008. In the current fifth follow-up a total of 215 open-identity donors were included (response rate 87%), 123 oocyte and 92 sperm donors. The donors answered a questionnaire regarding their perceptions, experiences, and expectations after donating 14-17 years ago. Results The donors were satisfied with the experience of donating and no differences between sperm and oocyte donors were detected. Oocyte donors were more than twice as likely to feel that family and friends were proud of their donation compared to sperm donors (51% vs 23%). In total, six donors regretted their donation: four oocyte and two sperm donors. Sperm donors were more frequently satisfied with the financial compensation compared to oocyte donors. No difference in the development of symptoms of either anxiety nor depression was detected 14-17 years post-donation. Conclusion Long-term follow-up studies on donors are important, both for recruiting donors as well as for recipients and the children who will be conceived with donated gametes. The results from the current study indicate that donors, generally, have good mental health and do not regret their decision to donate gametes. These findings are reassuring for all parties involved.