Other assisted reproduction techniques

The following procedures have been used as alternatives to IVF but are not discussed in detail here:

• Gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT): GIFT is similar to IVF. It is used when a woman has at least one normal Fallopian tube. Eggs are placed in this tube along with a man's sperm to fertilize there.
  
  
• Zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT): ZIFT is tubal embryo transfer in which a woman's eggs are taken from her ovaries, fertilized in the laboratory, and put back in the fallopian tubes rather than the uterus.
  
  
• Assisted fertilization techniques when not enough sperm are available or sperm quality is not sufficient to fertilize include the following:
  
  
  • Partial zona dissection
    
    
  • Subzonal sperm injection
    
    
  • Intracytoplasmic sperm injection
  
  
• Embryo cryopreservation (frozen fertilized egg and sperm)