women s health issues
Assisted Reproductive Technologies
Gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT)
Gamete intrafallopian tube transfer is rarely used in the United States because in vitro fertilization is very successful. GIFT can be used if the fallopian tubes are functioning normally. Eggs and selected active sperm are obtained as for in vitro fertilization, but the eggs are not fertilized with sperm in the laboratory. Instead, the eggs and sperm are transferred to the far end of the woman’s fallopian tube through a small incision in the abdomen (using a laparoscope) or through the vagina (guided by ultrasonography), so that the egg can be fertilized in the fallopian tube. Thus, this technique is more invasive than in vitro fertilization. 