Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer is an alternative procedure developed in 1984 for couples with unexplained infertility. The procedure is possible to perform provided the mother has at least one open fallopian tube. GIFT is frequently used for patients with cervical or immunological factors, with mild endometriosis, or women who are older, and even certain cases involving moderate male infertility.
In a GIFT procedure, eggs and semen are placed into the fallopian tube using a catheter, which greatly improves the chances for spontaneous conception to occur. By combining these elements in this way, the strategy is that fertilization will take place and the fertilized embryo(s) will gravitate into the uterine cavity and implant, leading to pregnancy. This procedure usually requires surgery in order to gain access to the fallopian tube. Such access is generally obtained by performing a laparoscopy.
An advantage of GIFT is that it provides an alternative for patients with religious beliefs that prohibit conception outside of the body, as the GIFT fertilization procedure takes place within the fallopian tube.
However because fertilization occurs inside the body, it can be a challenge to confirm that fertilization has occurred. The stages involved in the GIFT treatment are similar to IVF.
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