Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer: ZIFT

The basic steps of ZIFT

1.Ovarian stimulation and egg development

ZIFT is a method of assisted reproduction in which the woman's egg are fertilized in the laboratory using the husband's sperm and then placed in the fallopian tubes. ZIFT mimics the natural process in many ways. Although fertilization occurs in the laboratory, the zygotes are then placed in the fallopian tube(s) where further development occurs as it does in natural reproduction. Embryo development follows and the embryo travels to the uterus by natural processes.

Women with at least one normal fallopian tube and a normal uterus, and at least one functioning ovary are candidates for this procedure.

Couples whose impaired fertility is due to unexplained infertility, endometriosis, cervical factors, sperm problems, or immunologic factors are all candidates for ZIFT. ZIFT is usually reserved for those couples in which there is significant question about the ability of the sperm to fertilize the eggs.

The eggs are removed from the ovaries with a needle that is inserted through the vagina. This procedure is performed using ultrasound guidance which allows precise placement of the needle into each follicle. Intravenous sedation makes this a painless procedure - general anesthesia is not required. The contents of each follicle are collected into a test tube immediately transferred into the ART laboratory where the eggs are identified, isolated, evaluated and placed into an incubator in less than two minutes.

The eggs, sperm and embryos are handled under sterile conditions at all times. Once an egg is identified, it is placed into a special culture medium for two to six hours before it is inseminated. After the egg retrieval, the husband will be asked to obtain a sperm sample. The sperm are then isolated from the remainder of the ejaculate and added to the eggs to allow fertilization to occur. After 18 to 24 hours, the first signs of fertilization occur.

The Zygote Transfer

Because of the fact that the zygotes are being placed into the fallopian tubes, ZIFT does require a laparoscopy. Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure performed on an outpatient basis. Depending on individual circumstances, laparoscopy for ZIFT can be performed either under general anesthesia or under sedation with local anesthesia. A telescope-like instrument is inserted into the abdominal cavity just under the navel. Two other very small incisions (3mm) are made to allow introduction of the instruments necessary for transferring the zygotes into the fallopian tube.

The morning after the retrieval, a laparoscopy is performed and a given number of zygotes (usually three) are loaded into a small catheter. A catheter is then handed to the surgeon who gently inserts it into the fallopian tube and deposits the zygotes.

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