Experiences and attitudes of Danish men who were sperm donors more than 10 years ago; a qualitative interview study

Abstract

Background More knowledge about the long-term impact of sperm donation is essential as the donor’s attitude towards donation may change over time. Personal and social developments may prompt a rethinking of previous actions and decisions, or even regret. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the experiences and attitudes of men who were sperm donors more than 10 years ago. Methods From May to September 2021, semi-structured, qualitative interviews were conducted with 23 former donors (> 10 years since last donation) from Cryos International sperm bank. Two participants were non-anonymous donors and 21 were anonymous. The interviews were conducted by phone or via video (mean 24 minutes). All interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and rendered anonymous. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results The analysis showed that most men had been donors for monetary and altruistic purposes, and now considered sperm donation as a closed chapter that was ’unproblematic and in the past’. Most men valued anonymity and emphasized the non-relatedness between donor and donor conceived offspring. Knowledge about recipients and donor offspring was seen as ’damaging’ as it could create unwanted feelings of relatedness and responsibility towards them. All men acknowledged donor conceived persons’ potential interests in knowing about their genetic heritage in order to understand appearance and personal traits, but also emphasized the donors’ rights to anonymity. Potential breach of anonymity was generally considered ’highly problematic’ as it was expected to disturb their families and force a relationship on them. Conclusion This study reports on former donors who might not have volunteered for research due to lack of interest or protection of privacy. The majority of men valued anonymity and clearly demarcated a line between sperm donation and fatherhood, which was enforced by not knowing about the donor offspring or recipients.

Joint Utility or Sub-optimal Outcomes? Household Income Development of Same-Sex and Different-Sex Couples Transitioning to Parenthood in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden

“…Table 1 summarizes the most important rights with respect to access to family formation, including marriage, access to fertility clinics, rules for access to treatment and parental leave. Finland and Denmark were two of the first countries in which female same-sex couples had access to medically Lou et al, (2023). e Until June 2020, thereafter everyone (https://www.helsedirektoratet.no/tema/assistertbefruktning/tilbud-om-assistert-befruktning-i-norge).…”

“…Donors are not anonymous in Finland, Norway, and Sweden, as children can request the donor’s identity at a later age. However, donors were anonymous in Denmark until 2007 and can still choose to be anonymous or not (Lou et al, 2023; Weyers, 2016). With respect to access to parental leave, both mothers in female couples had equal access to parental leave from 1995 in Sweden, 2007 in Norway and Finland and 2009 in Denmark (Evertsson et al, 2020).…”

“… a Evertsson et al, (2020). b Weyers (2016). c Calhaz-Jorge et al, (2020). d Lou et al, (2023). e Until June 2020, thereafter everyone (https://www.helsedirektoratet.no/tema/assistert-befruktning/tilbud-om-assistert-befruktning-i-norge). f Until March 2016, thereafter everyone (https://www.karolinska.se/for-vardgivare/tema-kvinnohalsa/gynekologi-och-reproduktionsmedicin/reproduktionsmedicin/regler-och-grundkrav---ensamstaende/).…”