GIFT

This is the most invasive technique of Medically Assisted Reproduction (MAR) since it is performed through a laparoscopic procedure and the patient needs to stay in hospital for one day and one night; therefore this type of technique can be performed only in centers, such as Centro Demetra, with a MAR laboratory in a hospital. We performed this type of MAR at the clinic "Casa di Cura Orestano", where our second laboratory stands.
In this type of technique the stimulation of ovaric super-ovulation is performed with Gonadotropins, eventually associated with GnRH analogs or Gn-RH antagonists.
GIFT is used with the same indications as for IUI, DIPI, IUI/DIPI) (idiopathic sterility; infertility secondary to mucus-semen incompatibility and male sterility) and the normal structure and function of at least one Fallopian tube is required.
We recommend the use of this technique in cases in which, for other reasons, it is necessary to perform a diagnostic laparoscopy, for example, to complete the diagnostic evaluation of the possible causes of sterility of the couple.
Often GIFT is the only therapeutical option because of religious or ethical reasons since in this technique the use of extra-corporeal fecundation is not needed (in contrast with in Vitro fecundation; that is why GIFT is admitted by the Catholic Church).
From a technical point of view in GIFT ovaric follicles are sampled during laparoscopy and oocytes are obtained   ; they are then treated at the laboratory, during the same laparoscopic procedure, and then they are re-inserted with the partner's treated sperm directly in the Fallopian tubes . 

ZIFT
(Intratubaric Zygote Transferring) is a combined technique. 
The first step of the technique is the ultrasound guided sampling of the oocyte, similar to the one perfomed for IVF/ET (see above). In contrast with IVF/ET, after oocyte insemination, the formation of zygotes is expected (which is an intermediate state between oocyte and embrio)and then the zygotes are seeded in the Fallopian tube with laparoscopy (the second laparoscopic procedure of ZIFT). The formation of zygotes occurs about 24 hours after oocyte insemination, therefore the laparoscopic transfer of zygotes is performed the next day of transvaginal, ultrasound guided oocyte sampling. Because of the two laparoscopic procedures, it is necessary to hospitalized the patient at the Clinic Casa di Cura Orestano. This technique is indicated in cases in which intra-uterine transfer is particularly difficult.

TET
(Intratubaric Embryo Transferring) has the same indications as ZIFT and is carried out in a similar way. The only difference is that the second laparoscopic procedure is performed two days after the ultrasound-guided ovocyte sampling because the formation of the embryos are expected . There is no clinical statistically significant evidence that there is an advantage of TET over ZIFT: the choice between the two techniques is in general due to timing convenience for the patient.