P-434 Anonymous sperm recipients in Spain. What are their perspectives?
Authors: Gaggiotti-Marre S , Guix Camps J , Roig Ginesta E , Álvarez Mora M B , Gich Saladich I , Polo Ramos A M 
Published: June 2023

Study question

What are the perspectives regarding sperm donor anonymity among Spanish recipients?

Summary answer

56.6% of the patients who undergo treatment with donated sperm in a Spanish population would like to choose between the type of anonymity.

What is known already

Spain is one of the few European countries that still maintains the donor anonymity. Spain is the main gamete provider for all European countries. Among other reasons (cross border legislation, donor limitations in other countries, etc.), the Spanish Society of Fertility defend that the anonymity of their donors is the main reason for such high demand from other countries, as well as within the Spanish patients. However, information regarding patient preference and intention to disclose is scarce and contradictory.

Study design, size, duration

A prospective study performed at the only public hospital with own sperm bank within a large territory in Spain. From September 2021 to October 2022. A questionnaire was provided to all women who required sperm donor. A total of 106 women responded the questionnaire.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, as well as their perspectives towards donor anonymity, donor selection, intention to disclose towards the child and opinion on the support received by professionals and relatives/inner circle. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS Statistic programme (V26). P &lt; 0.05 was considered significant.

Main results and the role of chance

A total of 46/106 (43.4%) patients were intended solo mothers, 50.9% (54/106) had a female partner and 5.7% (6/106) had a male partner. Mean age was 35.9, 34.3 and 28.8, respectively. There was no statistical difference between level of education among groups. Only 34.9% of the patients live in Barcelona city, whereas 65% have to travel a mean of 1.15 hours to reach the Hospital. Overall, 56.6% of the patients would like to choose between the type of anonymity. Among them, 58.7% are solo mothers, 57.4% female couples and 33.3% heterosexual couples. A total of 76.4% of the patients would like to choose their donor. More than half (61.3%) do not wish to have any relationship with the donor. The rest of them would only want contact if the child asked for it or in the case of a genetic disease. Most patients (96.2%) have intention to disclose the genetic origin of their child, and more than half (58.5%) intend to do so during the age of 0 to 5 years old. Fifty patients (47.2%) feel a lack of support during the process and only 6.6% perceive a negative impact on their reproductive project from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Limitations, reasons for caution

The main limitation is that the study is from a single, public centre and that the questionnaire was self-administered. Also, the questionnaire was limited to women patients, excluding the perspective of donors, men, children and other relatives.

Wider implications of the findings

The ethical, psychological and economical aspects of requiring gamete donation have an important impact on our societies. Some claim that the era of donor anonymity has reached an end, because of direct to consumer DNA testing. Others believe that anonymity protects donors and allows recipients to fulfil their reproductive project.

Trial registration number

Not applicable