What is infertility? Describe in brief ZIFT and GIFT.

Answer:

Infertility is the inability of a couple to conceive and produce children even after one year of regular unprotected sexual cohabitation. It may be due to defects in either partner.

ZIFT (Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer): ova from the wife and sperms from the husband (or donor) are fused in the laboratory (in vitro fertilization); the zygote or early embryo of up to 8 blastomeres is transferred into the fallopian tube for further development.

GIFT (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer): an ovum collected from a donor is transferred along with sperms into the fallopian tube of a woman who cannot produce ova but can provide a suitable environment for fertilization and development; fertilization occurs in vivo.