A prospective randomized comparison of zygote intrafallopian transfer and in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer for nontubal factor infertility.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) versus standard IVF-ET for the treatment of nontubal factor infertility.

DESIGN

A prospective randomized trial.

PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-nine couples undergoing oocyte retrieval for nontubal infertility in a university hospital-based IVF-ET program.

INTERVENTIONS

A maximum of four cleaving embryos were transferred into the fallopian tube or uterine cavity 48 or 55 hours after oocyte retrieval, respectively.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Rates of implantation, pregnancy, and spontaneous abortion (SAB) were compared.

RESULTS

Clinical pregnancies occurred after 26.5% versus 12% of retrievals and 29% versus 14.3% of transfers in IVF-ET versus ZIFT cycles, respectively. Pregnancy, implantation, and SAB rates did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This prospective randomized trial failed to demonstrate any therapeutic improvement associated with the increased complexity of ZIFT as compared with standard IVF-ET.