A procedure undertaken to remedy infertility. Ova are collected from the surface of the ovaries after stimulation with gonadotrophin or drugs with a similar action. These are then introduced into the uterus together with spermatozoa, permitting natural fertilization to occur.
Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) is an infertility treatment in which eggs are removed from a woman's ovaries, and placed in one of the fallopian tubes, along with the man's sperm.
It takes, on average, four to six weeks to complete a cycle of GIFT. First, the woman must take a fertility drug to stimulate egg production in the ovaries. The eggs will be harvested approximately 36 hours later, mixed with the man's sperm, and placed back into the woman's Fallopian tubes using a laparoscope.
A woman must have at least one normal fallopian tube in order for GIFT to be suitable.
As with most fertility procedures, success depends on the couple's age and the woman's egg quality.
Many specialists in infertility would look at GIFT as a procedure that is outdated (2004) as pregnancy rates in IVF tend to be equal or better and do not require laparoscopy.
User Comments Add a comment…