Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer: GIFT

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What is gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT)?

GIFT is an assisted reproductive procedure which involves removing a woman’s eggs, mixing them with sperm and immediately placing them into your fallopian tube. One of the main differences between this procedure and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) procedures is that the fertilization process takes place inside the fallopian tubes rather than inside the laboratory. You must have healthy tubes for GIFT to work.

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How is GIFT performed?

GIFT is an assisted reproductive procedure that involves the following steps:

  • A woman’s ovaries are stimulated with medications to increase the probability of producing multiple eggs.
  • Eggs are collected through an aspiration procedure.
  • Three to four eggs are immediately mixed with about 200,000 mobile sperm and placed in a special catheter.
  • The mixture of eggs and sperm are transferred through a laparoscopic procedure. The catheter is placed in the fallopian tube and the egg/sperm mixture is injected.
  • The last step is to watch for early pregnancy symptoms. Your fertility specialist will probably use a blood test to determine if pregnancy has occurred.

Who should be treated with GIFT?

GIFT is an assisted reproductive procedure which may be the selected form of treatment for any infertility problems except the following:

  • Tubal blockage
  • Significant tubal damage
  • An anatomic problem with the uterus, such as severe intrauterine adhesions.

In general, in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a better approach for couples with male factor infertility.

GIFT is commonly chosen by couples who have failed to conceive after at least one year of trying and who have failed five to six cycles of ovarian stimulation with intrauterine insemination.

What are the differences between GIFT and in vitro fertilization (IVF)?

  • GIFT tends to be a favorable approach for women who have a chance of getting pregnant through other means but have not been successful, whereas IVF is more appropriate for women who have more severe infertility concerns.

  • GIFT does not involve embryo culture. This enables some patients to pursue additional fertility treatments without addressing the ethical concern about how many embryos to create or transfer.

  • IVF provides your physician with the opportunity to select only the best quality embryos on day 3 or day 5 for transfer, whereas GIFT places unfertilized eggs and sperm in the tubes.

  • In the GIFT procedure, the transfer of gametes into the tube requires an extra surgical procedure called laparoscopy.

Last Updated: 05/2007