P-519 Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) with or without gamete donation: comparison between patients’ emotions and need for psychological support

Study question What is the need for psychological support and what are the main emotions felt by patients undergoing ART with own or donated gametes? Summary answer ART treatment with gamete donation results more emotionally charged for patients. It would be helpful for them to receive adequate psychological support during the treatment. What is known already Couples facing infertility often turn to Assisted Reproductive Technology. This may cause psychological distress due to treatment uncertainty, physical strain, and financial pressures. In Italy, ART cycles with gamete donation have risen significantly, from 2,287 (3.2% of ART activities) in 2015 to 14,543 (15.2%) in 2022. Many studies report the complexity of feelings involved in gamete donation. While it offers hope for parenthood, couples may experience mixed emotions, including sadness of losing biological ties, doubt about disclosure of the child’s origins, ambivalent attitudes towards the donor. This emotional complexity highlights the need for targeted psychological support. Study design, size, duration Between 2021 and 2023 the Italian ART Registry (IARTR), in collaboration with the Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies (Sapienza University) proposed two online questionnaires created ad hoc for the survey in two different time frames to patients underwent ART donor and non-donor treatments. The study aimed to compare the emotional sphere and needs of the patients underwent ART treatment with own or donated gametes. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 225 patients undergoing ART with own gametes (“non-donor patients”) and 186 patient undergoing ART with gametes donation (“donor patients”) completed the questionnaire. The groups were compared on socio-demographic characteristics, availability and type of psychological counseling offered within ART centers, and emotional responses to ART cycle experience. The primary outcome was the patients' emotional sphere related to ART treatments. Statistical analysis was conducted using Student’s t-test and Chi-square test, where appropriate. Main results and the role of chance Donor patients are significantly older (41.5 years) compared to non-donor patients (37.4 years), have been trying to conceive for a longer time (>4 years vs. <3 years), and have undergone nearly one fewer ART cycle (1.6 vs. 2.4). Donor couples discuss their infertility condition less frequently than non-donor couples, both with friends (16.7% vs. 64.4%) and with colleagues (3.8% vs. 23.1%). The presence of a psychologist at the center (88.7% vs. 56.4%) and the offer of psychological counseling (65.6% vs. 29.8%) were communicated more often to donor patients. Consequently, donor patients received psychological counseling at the ART center more frequently than non-donor patients (53.8% vs. 34.7%). Donor couples found psychological support particularly helpful during the evaluation of treatment options and during pregnancy, whereas non-donor patients would have preferred support throughout the entire treatment process. Regarding emotions experienced during the ART process, non-donor patients reported significantly higher levels of sadness, anger, and fear compared to donor patients. They also attributed more feelings of sadness and anger to their partners. This discrepancy could be explained by the lower availability and utilization of psychological counseling among non-donor patients. Limitations, reasons for caution The results of the survey should be confirmed with a larger sample size that can better represent the variety of emotional experiences of both donor patients and non-donor ART patients. Wider implications of the findings A different clinical and emotional experience emerges between patients undergoing ART with or without gamete donation. These different experiences need to be known in order to provide appropriate and conscious psychological support to process the particular emotional feelings experienced during a specific ART treatment. Further investigation is needed. Trial registration number No