Exploring Donor Attitudes and Psychological Experiences in Anonymous and Identity-Release Oocyte Donation: A Systematic Review

Background Despite being a commonly recognized method of assisted reproduction, oocyte donation presents questions regarding the attitudes, psychological experiences, motivations, and ethical dilemmas of donors. The intricacies of identity release and anonymous systems are examined in this review, with particular attention paid to relationship expectations, counselling requirements, and legal frameworks. Methods Donor perspectives, motivations, emotional health, and ethical implications were examined through a systematic evaluation of 23 studies. Analysis was conducted on themes such as counselling needs, boundary setting, and emotional fulfilment. Results Most identity-release donors were in favour of openness, with 65–95% of them being prepared to reveal their identities for ethical and developmental reasons. However, some voiced concerns about emotional difficulties and role uncertainty. Although 70–80% of anonymous donors valued privacy, 15–20% later expressed interest and sorrow over missed opportunities for interaction. While financial incentives were more important for anonymous contributors (40–50%), altruism was the primary driver for 85–95% of the identity-release donors and 70–80% of the anonymous donors. Post-donation satisfaction was high (85–99%) despite pre-donation hesitation (20–25%). Legal frameworks have improved preparedness and satisfaction, such as identity-release regulations in Finland and Sweden. Counselling requirements varied: anonymous donors needed post-donation assistance, whereas identity-release donors needed pre-donation counselling. Conclusion Transparency methods increase donor readiness and satisfaction, whereas anonymous systems preserve privacy, but cause psychological difficulties. Supporting the well-being of donors and their progeny requires improved counselling and legal protection.