The acceptability of posthumous human ovarian tissue donation in Utah

Infertility due to accelerated loss of ovarian follicles/oocytes may occur through numerous mechanisms. As a result, posthumous human oocyte donation, banking and maturation protocols for research and fertility restoration are current interests in reproductive medicine.

A computer-generated sample of Utah residents (n = 704) were surveyed regarding demographics, willingness to donate organs, IVF acceptability and posthumous follicle/oocyte donation for: research, fertilization with monitoring to the preembryo stage (eight cells), and fertilization and subsequent transfer of embryos derived from themselves, their partner or non-spousal relative for whom they act as guardian.

Ovarian tissue donation for follicle/oocyte retrieval, maturation and scientific investigation without fertilization was acceptable (>or=70%) to a majority of the Utah population. However, fertilization of oocytes or fertilization and transfer of resulting preembyos derived from such donations to cause a pregnancy was less acceptable (58.3% and 57.4%, respectively) in the population responding for their own or partner's oocytes, and more so when the donation was guardian-directed (54.8% and 52.1%, respectively). Similar declines in the level of acceptance were noted when those who had an express interest in such donations (ovarian failure or surgical castration) were surveyed (n = 50).

This study substantiates the ethical recommendation that explicit prior written consent of the donor be obtained when ovarian tissue donations are procured for fertilization, or transfer of a preembryo to cause a pregnancy. In light of the rapid technological advancements in ovarian follicle/oocyte cryopreservation and maturation, the time may have come to provide potential organ donors the opportunity to specify their desires regarding ovarian tissues when registering for organ donation.