Attitudinal survey of sperm donors to an artificial insemination clinic

Donors (n = 42) to an artificial-insemination-by-donor sperm clinic were surveyed to ascertain individual motivations and attitudes regarding participation. Responses were compared to those of a matched control group (n = 50) of nondonors. Donors were motivated by money, with the majority (69%) unwilling to participate if financial incentives were withdrawn. Anonymity was desired, and donors did not favor disclosure of information to a national registry tracking insemination outcomes. However, donors and controls did endorse providing sperm for an infertile brother. Donors and controls differed significantly in response to 2 of 15 questions asked, with differences due to perceptions of donor motivation. Although perceived as altruistic by peers, donors did not envision themselves as such, and most considered donating semen similar to donating blood or organs.