Question

Choose the correct statement regarding GIFT to overcome infertility.

• A. Ova collected from a female donor are transferred to the uterus of an infertile female.
• B. Early embryos with up to 8 blastomeres are transferred into the fallopian tube of an infertile female.
• C. It is the transfer of an ovum collected from a donor into the fallopian tube of another female who cannot produce ovum but can provide suitable environment for fertilization and development.
• D. Early embryos with up to 8 blastomeres are transferred to the uterus of an infertile female.

Hint:

Logic Tip: The acronym holds the answer! \textbf{G}amete = Ovum/Sperm (not an embryo). \textbf{I}ntra \textbf{F}allopian = goes into the fallopian tube (not the uterus). Therefore, GIFT is strictly the transfer of an unfertilized egg into the tube.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) include various methods to help infertile couples conceive. GIFT stands for Gamete Intra Fallopian Transfer. It is a technique designed for females who cannot produce their own viable ova but have a functional reproductive tract capable of supporting fertilization and fetal development.
Step 1:
In GIFT, "Gametes" (specifically, an ovum collected from a donor) are transferred directly into the "Fallopian tube" of the recipient female. Fertilization happens naturally inside the body (in vivo).
Step 2:
Transferring ova to the uterus is incorrect. Fertilization naturally occurs in the ampullary region of the fallopian tube, not the uterus.
Step 3:
Option (2) describes the transfer of early embryos (up to 8 blastomeres) into the fallopian tube. This specific technique is known as ZIFT (Zygote Intra Fallopian Transfer), not GIFT. Option (4) describes the transfer of embryos to the uterus, which is called IUT (Intra Uterine Transfer).
Step 4:
This option correctly describes the exact protocol and rationale for GIFT: transferring a donor ovum (gamete) into the recipient's fallopian tube to allow for in vivo fertilization.
Step 5:
Therefore, statement (3) is the only accurate description of the GIFT procedure.