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.