These procedures are not used very much today, because conventional IVF / ICSI is a better and less invasive procedure. Therefore GIFT and ZIFT are not routine procedures anymore. The main reason that they are still performed is because of difficulty in transferring embryos via the cervix in conventional IVF. These procedures require a general anaesthetic and a laparoscopy operation in order to visualize the fallopian tubes.

GIFT (Gamete Intra Fallopian Tube transfer)

The eggs are collected vaginally via ultrasound and then transferred together with a sperm sample into the fallopian tube.

ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Tube transfer)

The eggs are collected vaginally via ultrasound and fertilized in the laboratory. The embryos are then transferred 2 days later into the fallopian tube.