A survey study evaluating donor gamete utilization rates, patient satisfaction and fertility treatment outcomes according to desired race and ethnicity of the gamete donor

To evaluate donor gamete utilization, patient satisfaction, and fertility treatment outcomes of patients pursuing treatment with donor gametes stratified by the desired race and ethnicity of the gamete donor. All patients presenting for consultation at a single academic fertility center between 2015-2020 with plans to use donor oocytes, donor sperm or both were eligible for inclusion. Eligible patients were contacted through email and telephone and invited to participate in a survey regarding their desired gamete donor characteristics, donor gamete utilization, satisfaction, and fertility treatment outcomes. Demographic information was collected along with information regarding desired donor attributes, utilization, satisfaction with the attainment process, and fertility treatment outcomes. Differences in utilization of donor gametes and successful conception were compared using Type 3 likelihood ratio tests from a logistic regression framework and differences in satisfaction measures were evaluated utilizing Kruskal-Wallis tests. Of the 450 eligible subjects, 170 responded to the survey. Amongst the survey respondents, 58.8% desired a White gamete donor and 20% desired a Black gamete donor. Patients seeking a Black gamete donor had lower odds of utilizing donor gametes (OR = 0.13, 95% CI [0.04 - 0.40]) compared to individuals seeking a White gamete donor. When evaluating satisfaction with donor gamete selection, patients seeking a Black gamete donor reported lower satisfaction compared to individuals seeking White gamete donors (OR 0.19, 95% CI [0.09-0.43]). When evaluating fertility treatment outcomes, Black patients (OR=0.18, 95% CI [0.07-0.46]) and those utilizing Black gamete donors (OR=0.26, 95% CI [0.09-0.75]) were found to have a lower odds of successful conception compared to White patients and individuals seeking White gamete donors respectively. Patients seeking Black donor gametes have lower utilization rates, less satisfaction with donor gamete selection and lower odds of successful conception when compared to those seeking White donor gametes.