Results of the survey

The DIANZ team presented the survey results at the 2025 European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) annual meeting in Paris, France.

 Results will also soon be published – stay tuned for more information !

Preliminary results

The results presented at the ESHRE 2025 conference can be found below:

  • Of 1,317 survey invitations, 381 responses were received, with 374 responses included in data analysis (response rate 28.4%).

  • Half of the parents used a clinic-recruited donor; the remaining largely used a friend/family member.

  • Most parents (86%) had disclosed to their child that they were DC, and a further 11.5% of parents planned to but had not yet disclosed.

  • The average age of the child at the time of disclosure was 6.6 years.

  • Two-parent gay/lesbian families were more likely to have disclosed.

  • No significant differences in disclosure across donor (clinic/family/friend) or donation type (egg, sperm) were noted.

  • 23% of parents had at least some concerns about disclosure/DC and one third had many concerns.

  • 25% of parents reported receiving an ambivalent or negative reaction from their child on disclosure.

  • 15% of parents had either mixed feelings or felt uncomfortable/distressed about disclosure.

  • Most parents (71%) had not received support prior to disclosure.

  • 47% reported they were in some form of contact with donors and did not need assistance with linking. However, 25% of those using clinic donors wanted support for linking, 27% were unsure, and 4% wanted additional assistance.

  • Most parents (85%) were aware of identity release legislation principles, although 33% of those without identifying information were not aware, and 26% were unsure, of where or when to access information.