Hum. Reprod. Advance Access originally published online on September 9, 2005
Human Reproduction 2005 20(12):3560-3565; doi:10.1093/humrep/dei264
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The acceptability of posthumous human ovarian tissue donation in Utah
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Asahikawa Medical College, Hokkaido, Japan and 2 Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
3 To whom correspondence should be addressed at: Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 2B200 SOM, 50 North Medical Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. E-mail: c.matthew.peterson{at}hsc.utah.edu
BACKGROUND: 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. METHODS: 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. RESULTS: Ovarian tissue donation for follicle/oocyte retrieval, maturation and scientific investigation without fertilization was acceptable ($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). CONCLUSIONS: 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.
Key words: IVF/oocyte donation/organ donation/posthumous ovarian donation/premature ovarian failure