JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):196
Poster Presentation
29^th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263889

P-184. Psychological Insights into the Decision-Making Process of Receiving Donated Embryos or Double Gametes

Cássia Cançado Avelar¹, Ariana Carvalho¹, Luciana Campomizzi Calazans¹, Erica Becker Sousa Xavier¹, Ricardo Mello Marinho¹, João Pedro Junqueira Caetano¹

¹ Clínica Huntington Pró-Criar - Belo Horizonte - MG – Brasil

Objective: In the context of infertility—whether affecting both partners or older single women—resorting to assisted reproduction through embryo donation or double donation (egg and sperm) may appear socially equivalent. However, psychologically, these two approaches may not be perceived as equivalent. Little is known about how recipients feel regarding the future children conceived in these contexts. While both approaches result in no genetic link between parent and child, focusing solely on the absence of genetic kinship may oversimplify the situation. Other aspects of the techniques can evoke different perceptions among participants. This leads us to ask: What motivates couples and older single women to choose double gamete donation or embryo donation? To explore this question, we conducted qualitative research through interviews with women and couples, aiming to evaluate the psychological and symbolic issues involved in choosing between receiving donated gametes (eggs and sperm) or donated embryos.
Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients who sought in vitro fertilization treatment using donated eggs/ sperm or donated embryos. The study focused on psychological evaluations and decision-making factors.
Results: Between 2022 and 2025, 16 patients were indicated for treatment with donated gametes at a private reproductive medicine clinic in Brazil: 62.5% (10 patients -seven heterosexual couples, two single women and one female same-sex couple) chose to receive both donated gametes (egg and sperm) and 37.5% (6 patients -three single women, two heterosexual couples and one female same-sex couple) chose to receive donated embryos. A widely shared sentiment among participants related to the symbolic history of the reproductive cells and their connection to parental intention. For those who chose donated embryos, the perception was: "At first, when we were told we would need donated gametes, it felt like a death in the soul. Today, if someone offered us an embryo, we would be very happy. The goal is to have a child. If I receive it from a couple who went through the same difficulties we did, it doesn't bother me at all". "We began treatment with donated eggs and sperm, but we were unable to achieve pregnancy. We decided to continue with donated embryos, knowing that the donors had succeeded in conceiving and were now offering us that possibility". "Receiving donated embryos was my choice, because the donor resembles me, and the sperm would have come from a donor anyway". "I chose donated embryos—they're already formed, of excellent quality, and I'm the one who will carry the child I've longed for". For those who chose double donation, the perception was: "We've been through a long journey of unsuccessful attempts and have overcome the grief of losing our genetic lineage. We decided to move forward with donated eggs and sperm to finally have the child we've dreamed of for so long". "An embryo has a history. The specter of abandonment will linger like a shadow— even though I'm the one carrying the pregnancy, I believe it closely resembles adoption. We preferred to receive donated eggs and sperm". "In double donation, the donors are selected based on our phenotype. They are chosen for us". "Because an embryo is a future baby that was abandoned. I wouldn't know how to tell that story to my child. Whereas gamete donation is not abandonment—the child comes from people who gave, not from those who gave up".
Conclusion: In medically assisted reproduction, symbolic connections and psychological meaning play a crucial role in patient decision-making between embryo donation or double gametes donation. Understanding these nuances can help professionals provide more empathetic and informed support to those navigating these complex choices.