Background: Although gamete receipt or donation has become an integral part of infertility management, previous research in the field of social attitudes and intention to use medical technologies is limited. The aim of this paper was to investigate people's intentions to receive or donate sperm, oocyte or uterus (surrogacy) and to identify possible motivational patterns explaining this intention.
Methods: Personal interviews were conducted with 365 men and women of reproductive age (18-45 years). Stratified random sampling was performed to select the men and women for interview. The content of the instrument used was derived from in-depth qualitative interviews with physicians experienced in assisted reproductive technologies, as well as from people who had recourse to gamete donation and surrogacy.
Results: The results obtained highlighted the following major aspects: (i) approximately 50% of the survey's participants would be prepared to receive/donate sperm and oocyte; (ii) the results from multiple regression analysis suggest that the 'traditional gender roles' pattern is positively associated with 'intention to use gamete donation and surrogacy'. On the contrary, 'confidence in emotional relationship' is negatively associated with 'intention to use gamete donation and surrogacy, and (iii) men are more likely than women to report 'intention to use gamete donation and surrogacy'.
Conclusion: These data suggest that specific motivational patterns of the population need to be thoroughly analysed and taken into consideration, in order that appropriate counselling be addressed to individuals and couples.