Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) offer various medical interventions for infertility. Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (G.I.F.T.) is one such method that assists reproduction by working with the body’s natural processes.
Defining Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (G.I.F.T.) is an assisted reproductive technology that facilitates fertilization within a woman’s body. “Gamete” refers to reproductive cells (eggs and sperm), “intrafallopian” means placement inside the fallopian tube, and “transfer” denotes moving these cells.
Fertilization in G.I.F.T. occurs naturally within the fallopian tube, not in a laboratory. This distinguishes it from other ART methods where fertilization takes place externally. G.I.F.T. emerged as an earlier technique in assisted reproduction.
The G.I.F.T. Procedure
The G.I.F.T. procedure begins with ovarian stimulation. Fertility medications encourage the ovaries to produce multiple mature eggs (superovulation). Follicle growth is monitored to ensure optimal egg maturity.
After ovarian stimulation, egg retrieval is performed. For G.I.F.T., this usually involves a laparoscopic procedure, a minimally invasive surgery. A specialized instrument, a laparoscope, is used to visualize and collect the mature eggs directly from the ovaries.
Concurrently, a sperm sample is collected from the male partner. This sample undergoes a preparation process to isolate healthy, motile sperm. Techniques like sperm washing or density gradient centrifugation are commonly employed to separate viable sperm from other components of the semen. This preparation enhances the quality of the sperm intended for transfer.
After retrieval and preparation, the eggs and prepared sperm are carefully loaded into a thin, flexible catheter. This step ensures that both gametes are ready for simultaneous transfer. The gamete transfer then proceeds surgically, with the catheter inserted directly into one of the woman’s fallopian tubes using the laparoscope. The eggs and sperm are released together into the fallopian tube, creating an environment where natural fertilization can occur.
Ideal Candidates for G.I.F.T.
G.I.F.T. is considered for specific patient profiles where certain conditions are met. Couples experiencing unexplained infertility, where no clear cause for conception difficulties has been identified, may be suitable candidates. It can also be an option for cases of mild male factor infertility, provided the sperm retain their ability to fertilize an egg.
A fundamental requirement for G.I.F.T. is that the woman must have at least one healthy, functional fallopian tube. This is because the procedure relies on natural fertilization taking place within the tube. Some individuals or couples may also choose G.I.F.T. due to religious or ethical considerations, as fertilization occurs inside the body rather than in an external laboratory dish.
G.I.F.T. Compared to In Vitro Fertilization
G.I.F.T. and In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) are both assisted reproductive technologies, but they differ primarily in where fertilization occurs. In G.I.F.T., the eggs and sperm are placed together in the fallopian tube, allowing fertilization to happen naturally inside the woman’s body. In contrast, IVF involves collecting eggs and sperm and combining them in a laboratory dish, where fertilization takes place externally.
This external fertilization in IVF allows medical professionals to directly observe and confirm fertilization, as well as monitor the early development of embryos before transfer. G.I.F.T. does not offer this direct observation of fertilization or embryo quality. Furthermore, G.I.F.T. typically requires a surgical procedure, such as laparoscopy, for the transfer of gametes, while IVF often involves a less invasive, non-surgical embryo transfer into the uterus.
IVF has largely become the more prevalent ART method today due to advancements in technology and generally higher success rates. While Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT) represents an intermediate technique where fertilization occurs in the lab and the resulting zygote is transferred to the fallopian tube, the main distinction remains between G.I.F.T.’s internal fertilization and IVF’s external fertilization.