P–482 According to donor conceived adults, continuing the sharing-information process with parents about the donor conception is easier when the father took part in disclosure
Authors: Metzler-Guillemain C , Faust C , Carez S , Martin A , Gnisci A , Martial A , Daoud-Deveze C 
Published: August 2021

Study question

The opinion and feelings of adults after disclosure of the use of donated gametes for their conception

Summary answer

Disclosure is beneficial for 85.1% of donor conceived participants. Continuing the sharing-information process with parents is significantly easier when the father took part in disclosure

What is known already

Sharing information about the use of donor-conception with offspring is a complex process at several levels, involving in particular the parents’ will, the circumstances of disclosure, the child’s reaction, or the age of the child at disclosure. In this process, the child has a central position, source of force or friction. However, little is known about the opinion and feelings of adults who have been conceived through gamete donation.

Study design, size, duration

An online survey between March 2019 and September 2020. The opening of investigation was announced in media (press, radio, television), social networks, professional websites (CECOS French Federation…) and through interest groups (PMAnonyme, BAMP!, MAIA, ADEDD…) in France.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Participants completed a standardized questionnaire intended for (spermatozoa or oocyte) donor conceived adults, available on the AP-HM website

Main results and the role of chance

114 participants responded to the survey, 14 men and 100 women. The average age is 32.9 +/- 7.35 years old. Among them, 111 (97.4%) are born using sperm donation, 2 (1.8%) using oocyte donation, and 1 (0.9%) using double gamete donation. Their parents are 110 heterosexual couples, 3 single mothers, and 1 lesbian couple. For 113 (99.1%) of them, the parents had ART in France. Disclosure took place when they had 18.34+/–11.7 years old. The average time between disclosure and the survey participation is 14.58 +/- 8.77 years. Information was transmitted by the mother for 47.4%, the father for 8.8%, by both parents for 29.8%, and others for 14%.

The circumstances of information are: always knew it (11.4%), at a time chosen by the parents (36%), following a health event (7%), during a conflict (16%), following my questions (14%), by chance discovery (13.2%). A subsequent sharing process was possible after disclosure for 89 (78.1%) participants, and impossible for 25 (21.9%) of them. The sharing process is considered as not difficult for 49.5%, but difficult for 50.5%. It is significantly easier to repeat discussion about the donor conception with their parents when the father took part in disclosure (p = 0.02).

Limitations, reasons for caution

Most of the participants are members of interest groups. This may induce a risk of selection bias. Participants are primarily conceived using donated spermatozoa within heterosexual couples. This conclusion may not be applied to oocyte donation or other family models.

Wider implications of the findings: The present findings highlight the role of the father at the disclosure step, so that the subsequent information-sharing process is easier within the family.

Trial registration number

Not applicable