Fertility clinic, egg donation agency, and sperm bank policies.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the level of openness in U.S. gamete donation policies across fertility clinics, egg donation agencies, and sperm banks.

DESIGN

Primarily a content analysis of organizational materials (e.g., websites, brochures).

SETTING

Not applicable.

PARTICIPANT(S): A total of 219 fertility clinics, 100 egg donation agencies, and 30 sperm banks.

INTERVENTION(S): Not applicable.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Use of donor photographs, anonymity between parties, cycle outcome disclosure, and postcycle contact.

RESULT(S): Agencies were more likely to provide donor photographs, have proactive policies to inform donors of the cycle outcome, and have nonanonymous options compared with sperm banks and clinics. Sperm banks were more likely to offer institutionalized donor identity-release programs.

CONCLUSION(S): Clinics, agencies, and sperm banks have different policies to address the level of openness between donors, recipients, and donor-conceived children. Although agencies generally offer more open arrangements, only a minority of organizations restricted all types of contact and communication between parties.