Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer - GIFT

Schematic representation of GIFT
Animated sequence from a video showing loading the catheter and insertion into the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube







Animated sequence from video
 GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer) has found wide acceptance in many centres as an alternative to IVF where it is known that the fallopian tubes are patent - i.e. open. Eggs and sperm are transferred  through a catheter into the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube.

Many people have argued that  fertilisation and early development stages of the embryo benefit from the natural environment of the tubes and that cells lining the tubes facilitate this process.

The disadvantage is that it takes two procedures - one to recover the eggs (by ultrasound directed methods or laparoscopy) and another to transfer the eggs and sperm to the tubes - by laparoscopy or laparotomy..

Eggs (collected by laparoscopy or ultrasound directed methods) are placed with sperm in a catheter and inserted into the fimbrial end of the fallopian tube. Fertilisation takes place in vivo (i.e. in the fallopian tube as opposed to in vitro fertilisation in IVF) and if fertilisation takes place the embryo travels down towards the uterus for implantation

GIFT should only be proposed if the tubes are both patent and healthy, otherwise there is a risk of ectopic pregnancy. Some religious authorities prefer GIFT to IVF because fertilisation takes place within the body.