GIFT

Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT): An ART procedure in which eggs are removed from a woman's ovaries, combined with washed sperm, and then both eggs and sperm are placed into the woman's fallopian tube(s) through a small incision in her abdomen. The procedure is performed by laparoscopy.

GIFT is an assisted reproductive technology that was introduced in 1984 that by-passes one of the functions of the fallopian tube (egg pick-up). Since eggs and sperm are placed directly into the ampullary region of the fallopian tube, fertilization and early embryo development occurs in the natural protective environment and the embryo is transported to and enters the uterine cavity in a physiologic manner.

This technique can be used as an alternative to IVF for all non-tubal causes of infertility, however, it is not recommended for severe male factor or immunologic infertility when fertilization can be a problem. The main indications for GIFT are young non-tubal factor patients with normal semen analyses. The technique may be particularly applicable to patients with very difficult transcervical intrauterine transfers who have failed IVF cycles with good quality embryos.

Disadvantages of GIFT versus IVF include the lack of information regarding fertilization and embryo quality, and the transfer of unfertilized eggs compared to selected embryos.

This definition is from fertile.com