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Research question: Do directed oocyte donors differ from non-directed identity-release oocyte donors regarding pre-donation motives and ambivalence, and post-donation satisfaction and openness?

Design: The study is part of the longitudinal Swedish Study on Gamete Donation where consecutive samples of identity-release gamete donors at seven Swedish University Hospitals were approached during a 3-year period (2005–2008). The participants of the current study were 16 women who donated oocytes to family members or friends (directed donation) and 123 women who donated to unknown recipients (non-directed donation). Survey data on motivation, ambivalence, post-donation satisfaction and openness were collected at five time points between acceptance as a donor and 14–17 years post-donation. Statistical group comparisons and longitudinal analyses were conducted.

Results: In contrast to non-directed donors, who reported general altruism as their main motivation, directed donors were primarily motivated by empathy with the recipients. Pre-donation ambivalence was present in a quarter of donors and did not differ between groups (P = 0.601). Post-donation satisfaction was similar between groups (P = 0.17) and stable over time (P = 0.37). One directed donor reported regretting her donation, and this was attributed to negative relations with the recipients. Donors from both groups were generally open about having donated, but some directed donors felt restricted by the recipients’ wishes.

Conclusions: Despite being differently motivated, the current findings suggest that directed oocyte donors are comparable to non-directed oocyte donors in terms of pre-donation ambivalence and post-donation satisfaction and openness. The findings also highlight how directed donation may be associated with specific challenges, which emphasizes the need for pre- and post-donation counselling.