Objective To analyze the difference in understanding reproductive cell donation across different populations in today′s society

which may provide theoretical references for further standardization of reproductive cell donation.Methods An anonymous survey was conducted among 1 458 students and community members by using both electronic and printed questionnaires.Results Up to 27.3% of the interviewees had no understanding about reproductive cell donation.Only 2.5% had a good understanding of reproductive cell donation

and the proportion was significantly lower in females than that in males（P<0.05）

and significantly higher in community members than that in students（P<0.05）.The top 3 approaches to obtain information about reproductive cell donation were Internet（65.6%）

school education（33.7%）

and broadcasting/film/television（32.9%）.The proportion of those who obtained information from school education was significantly higher in females than that in males（P<0.05）

and also higher in students than that in community members（P<0.05）.More males had a correct understanding of the subsidy for donating sperms than females（P<0.05）

while more community members had a correct understanding of the subsidy for donating eggs than students（P<0.05）.About 61.1% of the interviewees understood that "donating sperms does no harm to the health of males"

while 36.8% knew that " donating eggs does no harm to the health of females";46.7% knew that "sperm donation is legal"

while only 8.9% knew that "egg donation is illegal".In terms of the need for improved laws and regulations about reproductive cell donation

23.1% believed that "this is necessary";the proportion of those who chose "this is absolutely unnecessary" was significantly higher in community members than that in students（P<0.05）.Conclusion The overall understanding about reproductive cell donation is generally poor at present.Internet is now the main approach to obtain relevant information

but school education should play an important role in educating students.Therefore

school education on reproductive cell donation should be enhanced

and meanwhile relevant legal

management and operational systems should be set up according to the specific conditions of China

so as to promote sound development of reproductive cell donation.