[Donor artificial insemination. Psychological survey of 830 couples]

Abstract

830 couples who had asked for Artificial Insemination by Donor (AID) were questioned using separate questionnaires for the husband and for the wife. The questions were directed to the reactions that followed in succession to discovery of the sterility, the psychological conditions that led to choosing AID, their attitude as far as secrecy was concerned and finally their contribution to finding donors of sperm. Overall the husband-wife replies corresponded to one another. Frequently the reaction to the news that the man is sterile is a depressive one and to a lesser degree followed by troubles in sexual performance. The choice of AID is usually a decision of both members of the couple. Most couples express themselves as hesitant about adoption. Most of them said that secrecy about the procedure was an essential condition. It appears that, above all, male sterility had to be hidden from the circle in which they associated and from the child. It is this position as far as secrecy is concerned that makes it difficult for the couples to help in recruiting sperm donors.