The basic steps of GIFT

GIFT is a method of assisting reproduction in which the man's sperm and the woman's egg are placed in the fallopian tubes. GIFT mimics the natural process in many ways. The sperm and eggs are placed in the fallopian tube(s) where fertilization occurs as it does in natural reproduction. Embryo development follows and the embryo travels to the uterus by natural processes.

GIFT is one alternative for those couples with religious constraints on IVF.

Women with at least one normal fallopian tube and a normal uterus, and at least one functioning ovary are candidates for this procedure.

Couples whose impaired fertility is due to unexplained infertility, endometriosis, cervical factors, sperm problems, or immunologic factors are all candidates for GIFT.

Because of the fact that the gametes are being placed into the fallopian tubes, GIFT does require a laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure performed on an outpatient basis. Depending on individual circumstances, laparoscopy for GIFT can be performed either under general anesthesia or under sedation with local anesthesia. A telescope-like instrument is inserting into the abdominal cavity just under the navel. Two other very small incisions (3mm) are made to allow introduction of the instruments necessary for aspirating the eggs and transferring the eggs and sperm into the fallopian tube.

The contents of each follicle are aspirated and transferred to the ART laboratory. Once an egg is identified, it is placed into a special culture medium until all of the eggs have been evaluated. The sperm have already been isolated from the remainder of the ejaculate. A given number of eggs (usually three) and an appropriate number of sperm are loaded into a small catheter. The catheter is then handed back to the surgeon who gently inserts it into the fallopian tube and deposits the eggs and sperm. The sperm and eggs do not meet until they are inserted into the fallopian tube.