Fallopian Tubes and Intrafallopian Transfer

A female’s Fallopian Tubes, also known as uterine tubes, oviducts, and salpinges, lead from the ovaries to the uterus. When an ovary develops an ovum, it is encapsulated in a sac known as an ovarian follicle. When the ovum is mature, ovary's wall and the follicle rupture, allowing the ovum to escape and enter the Fallopian Tube. From there the ovum travels, anywhere from several hours to several days, toward the uterus, pushed along by movements of cilia (small hair-like projections) on the cells of the lining of the tubes. If the ovum is fertilized in the tube, then it normally implants in the endometrium when it reaches the uterus, and indicates the start of pregnancy.

If the Fallopian Tube is damaged, such as partially or completely blockage with scar tissue, this will prevent the egg from getting to the uterus. Similarly, if the tubal cilia are damaged, the egg may not get pushed along normally but may stay in the tube. If embryo implants into the tube instead of the uterus, this is called an ectopic pregnancy, or more commonly known as "tubal pregnancy".

This transfer is a form of Assisted Reproduction Therapy, which involves the placement of the oocyte and sperm into the ampulla of Fallopian Tube.

There are two types of Intrafallopian Transfer: Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT). Both procedures involve removing the woman’s eggs, mixing them with the male’s sperm, and then implanting them in the woman’s Fallopian tubes. The first fertilization takes place outside the body, while the latter, however, takes place inside the woman’s body. In both cases, the woman typically takes a fertility drug to stimulate egg production in her ovaries.

ZIFT is considered the most invasive of all ART fertility treatments, with less than 1% of people using ART, choosing this treatment. Once her eggs are mature, the woman is given an anesthetic, and then the doctor removes them, using a needle and an ultrasound. The eggs are then fertilized with the male’s sperm in vitro, in a laboratory. Soon thereafter, the woman then undergoes minor surgery to have up to four developing embryos (zygotes) inserted into her fallopian tubes, using a laparoscope. If the treatment works, a zygote will travel through the fallopian tube and implant itself in the uterus, where it grows into a baby. GIFT is a semi-invasive procedure. When the woman’s eggs are mature, she is injected with Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and her eggs are harvested and mixed with the male’s sperm. Then they are placed back into the woman's Fallopian tubes using a laparoscope.

A woman must have at least one normal fallopian tube either GIFT or ZIFT procedures to be considered. Typically, fertility specialists will explore more conventional fertility treatments, before proposing either of these procedures. In 85% to 95% of cases, Infertility can be treated with more affordable and less invasive fertility treatments, such as drug treatment. A lot of Intrafallopian Transfer interventions result in multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets).

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