The acceptability of posthumous human ovarian tissue donation in Utah

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%, respec-tively) 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: Thi