Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (ZIFT)

Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer, commonly abbreviated as ZIFT, is a specialized fertility treatment in which a fertilized egg (zygote) is placed directly into a patient’s fallopian tube. After conventional IVF fertilization occurs in vitro, the resulting zygote is transferred using a laparoscopy-guided catheter to the fallopian tube, mimicking natural conception. Understanding the ZIFT full form clarifies that this method combines techniques of both IVF and gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT), but specifically transfers a fertilized egg rather than unfertilized gametes.

As a ZIFT fertility treatment, ZIFT is distinct from IVF because the embryo has already begun dividing before placement, and from GIFT because fertilization occurs outside the body. Patients and practitioners sometimes ask “ZIFT is in vivo or in vitro?”—the answer is that fertilization (in vitro) happens in the lab, but implantation occurs inside the body (in vivo) via surgical transfer into the tube. Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer may be recommended when tubal factors are minimal and when couples want to maximize chances of natural implantation.