gamete intrafallopian transfer

views updated May 29 2018

gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) (intră-fă-loh-piăn) n. a procedure for assisting conception, suitable for women whose Fallopian tubes are normal but in whom some other factor, such as endometriosis, prevents conception. Using needle aspiration, under laparoscopic or ultrasonic guidance, ova are removed from the ovary. After being mixed with the partner's spermatozoa, they are introduced into a Fallopian tube, where fertilization takes place. The fertilized ovum is subsequently implanted in the uterus. A similar procedure is used in zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), except that fertilization occurs in vitro and the zygote is introduced into a Fallopian tube.