ZIFT & GIFT

Zift and Gift ...

A GIFT cycle involves harvesting the oocytes (eggs from the patient's ovaries). A few mature oocytes are mixed with the partner's sperm and immediately placed back in the fallopian tubes. Therefore, fertilization and embryo development take place in the woman's body. In a ZIFT cycle, the oocytes are fertilized in the laboratory and 12-16 hours later some fertilized eggs (zygotes) are replaced into the fallopian tubes.

Women with normal fallopian tubes, absence of severe pelvic adhesions, sperm antibodies, no history of ectopic pregnancies, and whose male partners produce sperm with fertilizing ability may be candidates for GIFT or ZIFT.

GIFT or ZIFT?

Essentially GIFT and ZIFT are analogous procedures, however their specific features justify their utilization in different circumstances. Patients with failed GIFT procedures or in cases where suboptimal sperm quality may suggest poor fertilizing ability, ZIFT may be a better option than GIFT, because with ZIFT, fertilization is documented prior to replacement of the zygote into the fallopian tube. ZIFT may be indicated if additional procedures need to be implemented to fertilize the oocytes such as in cases of severe male factor infertility where ICSI may be necessary. Also ZIFT may be a preferred alternative if you want to decrease the probability of multiple pregnancy. A few zygotes are selected for fresh transfer depending upon their quality. The number of zygotes transferred seeks to maximize the pregnancy rate without increasing considerably the probability of a multiple pregnancy. Catholicism approves GIFT but not ZIFT because fertilization occurs in the body.

Comparison between GIFT, ZIFT, and IVF

Disadvantages of GIFT and ZIFT include the need for a laparoscopy for gamete or embryo replacement. IVF is accomplished without laparoscopy. The cost of GIFT or ZIFT is higher than the cost of IVF because of the additional cost of laparoscopy. However, in-office laparoscopy markedly decreases the cost over hospital-based laparoscopy. In a GIFT procedure we cannot corroborate if fertilization took place; therefore, a higher number of oocytes need to be replaced. In a ZIFT procedure, we know whether fertilization has occurred allowing us a known number of fertilized oocytes (zygotes) to be transferred. The unused zygotes are stored frozen for subsequent attempts to become pregnant. IVF has higher success rates.

In-Office GIFT and ZIFT

GIFT and ZIFT are conducted in our office, avoiding the extra expense of the hospital surgical facility.

Our commitment to assisting infertile couples does not end with the application of basic infertility treatments. We are prepared and have the necessary experience to utilize the most sophisticated tests for infertile men and women and precise treatments when simpler procedures are not indicated or have failed. The Infertility & IVF Center offers the most complete range of infertility services, including but not limited to: In Vitro Fertilization and the diagnosis and treatment of immunology related infertility. In addition, we offer egg donation for women who cannot produce their own eggs, as in premature ovarian failure. We have oocyte donors, who are immediately available to provide oocytes on request. Medical breakthroughs such as Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), have made it possible for severe male factor patients to father their own children. This includes men with vasectomies who can avoid costly surgical treatments to restore their fertility. Also ,we were the St. Louis pioneers in offering IVF services in an office setting, away from the operating room.

What if I or my partner cannot provide our own gametes?

If a woman cannot provide her own oocytes we can utilize an egg donor in a DONOR cycle, providing that there are no contraindications for pregnancy. For the male partner virtually there are no limitations for him to have his own genetic child(ren), as long as he is able to produce a few sperm. We can treat these cases of severe male factors with Intra-Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI).

If he cannot produce sperm cells in the ejaculate because of absence of the vas deferens (congenital or acquired due to a vasectomy), a few sperm can be collected by Percutaneous Epidydimal Sperm Aspiration (PESA) or Testicular Sperm Aspiration (TESA). These are simple in-office procedures that have replaced older costly and unnecessary surgical interventions. The oocytes are fertilized through ICSI. The number of zygotes transferred can be chosen to give the highest possibility of pregnancy.

What do we do with the extra embryos?

Embryo cryopreservation allows you to have one or more opportunities to have embryos available for transfer in subsequent cycles at a cost 3-4 times less. There is no reason for you to discard or donate embryos if you have not yet achieved a pregnancy. However, if you still wish to donate the surplus embryos we respect your wishes and we will be happy to make arrangements with a couple wishing to receive them.