Does increasing ovum donor compensation lead to differences in donor characteristics?

Citation
Ek. German et al., Does increasing ovum donor compensation lead to differences in donor characteristics?, FERT STERIL, 76(1), 2001, pp. 75-79
Citations number
8
Categorie Soggetti
Reproductive Medicine","da verificare
Journal title
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
ISSN journal
00150282 → ACNP
Volume
76
Issue
1
Year of publication
2001
Pages
75 - 79
Database
ISI
SICI code
0015-0282(200107)76:1<75:DIODCL>2.0.ZU;2-L
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the effects of a compensation increase for anonymous ovum donors on demographic and social characteristics. Design: Retrospective analysis. Setting: The Mount Sinai Medical Center Ovum Donation Program. Patient(s): All program applicants for 2 years preceding (group I, n = 2,93 4) and 1 year following an increase in donor compensation (group II, n = 1, 114; total N = 4,048). Intervention(s): Compensation was increased from $2,500 to $5,000 per cycle . Main Outcome Measure(s): Demographic and social characteristics of applic ants and donors. Result(s): More group II applicants (65.7%) than group I applicants (49.2%) returned an initial biographical questionnaire. Compensation level did not affect the percentage rejected at any stage in the application process or ultimately selected. There were no differences in donors in age, marital st atus, education, race, religion, or psychological profile. Group II donors had more previous pregnancies (group II mean = 1.2, group I mean = 0.6) and previous abortions (group II mean = 0.8, group I mean = 0.4). Conclusion(s): Increasing compensation may result in a higher percentage of potential donors completing an initial questionnaire but does not alter th e demographic and social characteristics of selected donors. Adherence to a rigorous applicant screening ensures that donor characteristics remain ind ependent from compensation. (C) 2001 by American Society for Reproductive M edicine.