REFINEMENTS IN THE METHODOLOGY OF INJECTION FOR TRANSVAGINAL GAMETE INTRAFALLOPIAN TRANSFER

Eighty-seven volunteer patients with non-tubal infertility initially intending to undergo gamete intra-Fallopian tube transfer (GIFT) via a transabdominal route were re-scheduled for ultrasound-guided transvaginal GIFT which was performed using a Jansen-Anderson tubal transfer set. Emphasis was placed on (i) definite ultrasound confirmation of the transfer catheter within the Fallopian tube, (ii) low transfer volumes (50 mu l), (iii) high sperm transfer densities and (iv) slow injection of gametes. Transvaginal Fallopian tube catheterization was possible in 83 patients (95.4%). Twenty-three of 83 (27.7%) patients conceived (clinical pregnancy). The viable ongoing pregnancy rate was 20.5%. These results compare favourably to those previously reported for both transvaginal and transabdominal GIFT. This study suggested that the fluid dynamics of gamete injection following transvaginal Fallopian tube catheterization are different to those following transabdominal methods. Further study is necessary to define the optimal methodology for transvaginal GIFT and to enhance the ability of the procedure to produce pregnancy rates comparable to transabdominal GIFT.