Combination GIFT or ZIFT with Standard IVF

In a combination procedure, GIFT or ZIFT is followed by the transfer of additional day-3 embryos trans-cervically, 3 or 2 days later. This means patients undergo a sequential transfer, which consists first of a laparoscopic transfer of gametes (in the case of GIFT) or zygotes (in the case of ZIFT) into the fallopian tubes, followed by a routine ultrasound-guided embryo transfer of 3-day old embryos which were cultured in the laboratory. Research conducted by Dr. Mor has revealed that the combination treatment is superior in pregnancy rates to both GIFT or ZIFT alone as well as to standard IVF alone, in patients with multiple prior IVF failures. On average, the total number of embryos transferred is 5 to 6. However, no increase in multiple gestation rate has been observed over standard IVF alone.

Since the number of oocytes/embryos needed for a successful combination treatment is a minimum of 6 eggs or 5 embryos, patients who are poor responders may require embryo banking (freezing of embryos for the purpose of later use in a subsequent IVF cycle) until enough embryos are available for use in the combination treatment.