Introduction
The change in human lifestyle over the decades has taken a heavy toll on human health leading to serious health issues that include infertility. As per data, one in every seven couples is found infertile. It gets very tough on couples who are keen to have babies but cannot due to it. Failing to achieve a successful pregnancy causes couples to slip into depression. Thus, to let many such families feel the joy of childbirth, science and technology have made remarkable advancements in the field of artificial fertilisation causing pregnancy and childbirth.
What is Infertility?
Infertility is defined as a disease of the male or female reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse. There are many reasons for infertility which may be physiological or social that causes an unhealthy lifestyle and ultimately infertility. Women generally suffer from infertility due to ovulatory variations or physical problems with the reproductive system and males suffer from insufficient sperm production or genetic defects leading to infertility.
Medical Solutions to Infertility
Infertility can be treated medically by treating an onset of other physiological factors or lifestyle changes or a combination of both. Or, it can be solved medically with the help of processes like in vitro fertilisation (IVF), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), etc. All of these processes come under assisted reproductive technology (ART). It is a collection of medical manipulation methods to circumvent infertility. The method could be gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), in vitro fertilisation (IVF), zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), embryo transfer (ET), and so on. All of these processes ultimately aim to achieve ovulation or spermatogenesis; to increase the probability of pregnancy and to carry it till full term. ART is very helpful for couples trying for pregnancy but is very time consuming has unsure results and is not economical.
1. In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF)
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In vitro fertilisation, also referred to as test tube baby by common man, is the most commonly used method of ART. In vitro fertilisation, as the name suggests is the method in which fertilisation is carried out externally in-vitro or culture medium. In case, the female is infertile, ova or the egg is taken from the female donor or if the male is infertile, sperms are taken from the male donor. They are kept in culture media, and the healthiest, vial sperm is selected. The fertilisation takes place by fusing ova and sperm outside the body under well-maintained laboratory conditions. Successful fertilisation leads to the formation of a zygote or the test tube baby. The zygote is carefully cultured and grown into an embryo. This embryo is then implanted in the uterus of the mother, who will carry the baby till full term for 9 months and deliver it. It is a common technique used for women with damaged or clogged Fallopian tubes.
2. Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)
Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT), also called Tubal Embryo Transfer is analogous to IVF. It is a form of assisted reproductive technology or ART procedure in which fertilisation takes place in a laboratory. It is most often done when helping women with blocked Fallopian tubes that do not allow normal binding of sperm to egg thus preventing pregnancy. In such cases, egg cells are removed from a woman's ovaries and fertilised in vitro. The resulting zygote is then placed in the Fallopian tube of the mother using laparoscopy. Thus, the procedure of ZIFT proceeds as follows: egg retrieval from ovaries, in vitro fertilisation, carrying the zygote into the uterine tubes for implantation, and further development. ZIFT is not a procedure to help women with abnormal uterine tubes.
3. GIFT – Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer is a different method from the other two. IVF and ZIFT involve in vitro fertilisation, but GIFT procedure involves in vivo fertilisation. In this process the gametes, that is, sperm and ova are placed directly into the Fallopian tube. Thus, in this process, fertilisation and zygote formation takes place inside the Fallopian tubes of the mother and is hence a more natural process as it occurs within the female body. However, this procedure can only be carried out if the sperm count is good and at least the fallopian tubes of the female are functioning.
GIFT is an alternative procedure for IVF. It is a procedure where the man’s sperm and a woman’s egg are made to combine in a lab. The fertilisation takes place inside a woman’s body in GIFT procedures and not in a lab. Thus, it is a better ART procedure for couples who opt for a natural treatment/ procedure that enables the fertilisation and implantation to take place naturally inside the female’s body.
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FAQs on IVF Gift Zift- Solutions for Infertility
1. What is In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) and how does the process typically work?
In-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) is an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) where fertilisation occurs outside the body in a laboratory setting. The process involves retrieving eggs from the female's ovaries and sperm from the male partner or a donor. These gametes are then fused in a culture dish under controlled conditions. The resulting zygote is monitored and allowed to develop into an embryo, which is then transferred into the female's uterus for implantation and further development.
2. What is Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)?
Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT) is a fertility treatment where fertilisation also happens in-vitro, similar to IVF. However, instead of transferring a developed embryo into the uterus, the newly formed zygote is transferred directly into the mother's Fallopian tube using a laparoscope. This allows the zygote to travel naturally down the tube and implant in the uterus, mimicking a more natural progression.
3. What is Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT)?
Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT) is distinct from IVF and ZIFT because it involves in-vivo fertilisation, meaning fertilisation occurs inside the body. In this procedure, both the eggs (gametes) and sperm are collected and then placed directly into the woman's Fallopian tube. The expectation is that fertilisation will happen naturally within the reproductive tract. This procedure requires at least one healthy Fallopian tube.
4. What are the key differences between IVF, GIFT, and ZIFT?
The main differences between these three Assisted Reproductive Technologies lie in the location of fertilisation and what is transferred back into the female's body.
- Site of Fertilisation: In IVF and ZIFT, fertilisation occurs outside the body in a lab (in-vitro). In GIFT, fertilisation occurs inside the body within the Fallopian tube (in-vivo).
- What is Transferred: IVF transfers a developed embryo. ZIFT transfers a zygote. GIFT transfers unfertilised gametes (sperm and eggs).
- Location of Transfer: In IVF, the embryo is transferred to the uterus. In both ZIFT and GIFT, the transfer occurs in the Fallopian tube.
5. Under what specific conditions is GIFT a more suitable option than IVF?
GIFT is often considered a suitable option for couples who have unexplained infertility or for whom religious or ethical reasons make in-vitro fertilisation undesirable. The key requirement is that the female must have at least one healthy and functional Fallopian tube to allow for natural fertilisation and transport of the embryo to the uterus. It is also preferred when the male partner has a low sperm count but not severe male factor infertility, as placing the gametes in close proximity can increase the chances of fertilisation.
6. What is Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) and how is it different from IVF?
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI) is a simpler fertility procedure where specially prepared and concentrated sperm is placed directly into the uterus around the time of ovulation. The key difference from IVF is that in IUI, fertilisation is intended to happen in-vivo (inside the body), within the Fallopian tube, just as it would naturally. IVF, on the other hand, involves fertilisation happening outside the body (in-vitro) in a lab, with the resulting embryo being transferred back into the uterus.
7. What are some potential challenges or risks associated with Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART)?
While ART provides solutions for infertility, it is associated with certain challenges and risks. These can include:
- Multiple births: Procedures like IVF often involve transferring more than one embryo, increasing the chance of twins, triplets, or more, which carries higher risks for both mother and babies.
- Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome (OHSS): The fertility drugs used to stimulate egg production can sometimes cause swollen and painful ovaries.
- Premature delivery and low birth weight: There is a slightly higher risk of premature delivery and having a baby with a low birth weight.
- Emotional and Financial Strain: ART procedures can be emotionally demanding, time-consuming, and expensive, with no guarantee of success in every cycle.
8. Why is the term 'test-tube baby' a common but technically inaccurate description of the IVF process?
The term 'test-tube baby' is a simplified and misleading popular term for a child conceived via IVF. While fertilisation does occur outside the body, it is not performed in a literal test tube. The process of fusing sperm and egg happens in a specialised, flat container called a culture dish or Petri dish. More importantly, the fertilised egg only spends a few days in the laboratory environment before the resulting embryo is transferred to the mother's uterus to grow and develop for the entire pregnancy, just like any other baby.
