The ZIFT procedure involves the transfer of embryos (zygotes) into the Fallopian tube 24 hours after fertilization. The aim is to achieve fertilization in-vitro (in the laboratory) and then replace the early embryos in the Fallopian tube, the normal site for fertilization. ZIFT offers the best of both IVF and GIFT procedures. It is suitable only for women who have at least one healthy Fallopian tube.
ZIFT is carried out as a day-case procedure under a general anesthetic, using laparoscopy. You may experience some abdominal discomfort and pain for a few days after the procedure, but painkillers can relieve this.
To whom may ZIFT be advised?
The main groups of patients selected for ZIFT procedure are women who are keen to have gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT) but where there is doubt about the chance of fertilization, and women who encountered difficulties in previous embryo transfers through the cervix.
If the quality of the embryo's in a preceding IVF cycle was poor, some fertility specialists will advise the patient to have ZIFT rather than IVF.
Success rate of ZIFT treatment
The success rate for ZIFT is in the region of 25-40% per embryo transfer, but varies depending on many factors such as the woman's age and the number of embryos transferred, etc. Some specialists advocate ZIFT over IVF for women over 40 years of age