ZIFT (Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer)

ZIFT is rarely used because, of all of the ART procedures, zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) is the most invasive. Nonetheless, over 200 babies are born each year after this procedure.

The procedure is similar to GIFT. The difference is that the woman's egg(s) is fertilized in the clinic and then transferred to her fallopian tubes.

Obviously this procedure requires the fallopian tubes to be healthy.

The woman is given fertility drugs to stimulate the ovaries. Several mature eggs will develop. Sometimes an additional drug is required to prevent the egg(s) from being released too early.

Ultrasound and blood hormone levels determine when the eggs are mature. The eggs are removed from the ovaries by needle aspiration guided by ultrasound. The eggs are then introduced to the man's sperm and allowed to fertilize.

Within a day the egg(s) will be fertilized to form an embryo. The embryo will be inserted into the fallopian tubes through a small incision.

The embryo travels up the fallopian tubes and implants in the uterus. A relatively high percentage of these procedures result in multiple births because up to four embryos may be inserted into the uterus during the procedure.

Infertile? Get answers from Doctors who care.

Christine Strong, NMD

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