Introduction The revolutionary advance in the field of reproductive technologies has created controversial sociological, cultural, religious, moral and legal issues. Considering the potential impact of these complex issues on the practice of reproductive technologies, this study aimed to investigate how socio-cultural and religious beliefs influence attitudes of recipient couples towards assisted reproductive donation procedures in an Iranian population.

Methods This correlational study was carried out on 60 male and female with primary infertility who referred to the Montaserieh Infertility Research Center in Mashhad and used donated egg, embryo or uterus and were selected using convenience sampling. Socio-cultural and religious beliefs, attitudes and knowledge of infertile couples towards donation procedures were measured using valid and reliable self structured questionnaires. Data were analysed using T test, one way ANOVA and Pearson' correlation coefficient.

Results There was a direct correlation between socio-cultural (p<0.001) and religious beliefs (p<0.001) of recipients with their attitudes towards donation procedures, that is, people with more positive socio-cultural and religious beliefs had higher degree of acceptance towards donation procedures. A direct correlation also was found between socio-cultural beliefs and couples' knowledge (p<0.001) and also their place of residence (p<0.001). An indirect correlation was found between socio-cultural beliefs and infertility length (p<0.017) and the duration of treatment (p<0.009).

Conclusion Promotion of social-cultural and religious beliefs at the community level may endorse positive attitudes in infertile couples which could provide appropriate bases for the decision made by infertile couples in an environment free from tension and fear of the wrong beliefs.