Chapter 25, Page 17

Pregnancy Rate

Specialists generally agree that pregnancy rates are higher for GIFT than for IVF - in fact, GIFT is about twice as successful as IVF. In part, this may be due to the type of patient accepted into GIFT programs. It may also be because the in vivo tubal environment is more "physiologic " for the gametes and embryo than the in vitro environment.

The advantages of this technique are:

  • The fallopian tube acts as the laboratory.
  • The embryo will reach the uterus at a later stage in its development, as with normal conception.
  • The procedure is considered morally acceptable to some religious groups that object to IVF, as conception occurs within the human body.
  • The endometrium will also be more receptive to the embryo because of the greater time the embryo takes to reach the uterus.

GIFT & IVF Compared

There are several differences between GIFT and IVF. The most important one is that GIFT requires at least one healthy fallopian tube, whereas IVF is appropriate treatment for women with tubal disease or even no fallopian tubes at all. At present, GIFT requires laparoscopy for transfer An IVF treatment cycle can be complete without laparoscopy. This is one of the reasons many IVF clinics no longer offer GIFT, even though it offers a higher pregnancy rate. Because they do not have easy access to an operation theatre. Ideally, you should opt for treatment in a clinic which offers all the procedures, so that the doctor can select the one that is best for you, depending upon your individual circumstances.

In the case of GIFT, fertilization occurs unobserved inside the body. Whereas in IVF, fertilization takes place in a laboratory dish and can be confirmed visually with a microscope. Visual confirmation of fertilization is especially important in cases of male factor or unexplained infertility. To obtain visual confirmation and still have the greater chance of pregnancy afforded by GIFT, one of the variations of GIFT described later (ZIFT, PROST or TET) may be used, to give the patient the benefit of combining the advantages of both the procedures.

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