Question

How are assisted reproductive technologies helpful to humans? How are ZIFT AND GIFT different from intrauterine transfers? Explain. (CBSE 2009)

Answer 1

The infertile couples could be assisted to have children through certain special techniques known as assisted reproductive technologies (ART).

ZIFT: The zygote or early embryo with up to 8 blastomeres is transferred into the fallopian tube. This is called zygote intra-fallopian transfer (ZIFT).

GIFT: Gamete intra-fallopian transfer is the transfer of an ovum collected from a donor into the fallopian tube of another female who cannot produce one but can provide a suitable environment for fertilisation and further development of the embryo.

Intra-uterine transfer (IUT) refers to the introduction of an embryo with more than 8 blastomeres into the uterus of a female to complete its further development.