Question

(a) Why is “in vitro fertilization (IVF)” so named? State its importance.
(b) Distinguish between GIFT and ZIFT.

Hint:

(a) In vitro fertilization (IVF) is a groundbreaking technique in reproductive medicine, allowing fertilization to happen outside the body before implantation.
(b) While both GIFT and ZIFT involve transferring gametes or embryos into the fallopian tubes, GIFT places the gametes, and ZIFT places the zygote after fertilization.

Answer 1

(a) IVF is so named because it involves fertilization that occurs outside the body (in vitro), meaning in a laboratory dish. The sperm and egg are combined in a petri dish for fertilization, and the resulting zygote is then implanted into the woman’s uterus.
Importance: IVF helps in overcoming infertility in cases where other treatments have failed. It is particularly useful for women with blocked fallopian tubes, male infertility, or unexplained infertility.
(b) - GIFT (Gamete Intra-Fallopian Transfer): In GIFT, eggs and sperm are placed directly into the fallopian tubes, where fertilization occurs naturally inside the body.
- ZIFT (Zygote Intra-Fallopian Transfer): In ZIFT, fertilization occurs outside the body (in vitro), and the resulting zygote is transferred into the fallopian tube.