Objective: To compare zygote intrafallopian transfer (ZIFT) and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) as treatments of male-factor infertility.
Design: Patients were prospectively randomized to ZIFT or IVF-ET.
Setting: In vitro fertilization program of the Centre for Reproductive Medicine of the Dutch-speaking Brussels Free University, Belgium, which is a tertiary referral institution.
Patients: One hundred fifty-seven couples were enrolled in the study. Inclusion criteria allowed only first trials of couples with long-standing infertility caused by a male factor. Female factors were excluded.
Interventions: In ZIFT, up to three fertilized oocytes were transferred into one single patient fallopian tube by means of laparoscopy 18 hours after insemination. In IVF-ET, cleaving embryos were replaced into the uterine cavity about 48 hours after insemination.
Main outcome measures: Fertilization and transfer rates, implantation and pregnancy rates, pregnancy outcome, and cost per procedure were evaluated.
Results: Implantation rates of 12.3% and 10% per replaced conceptus were achieved for ZIFT and IVF-ET, respectively.
Conclusions: This study demonstrates no therapeutic advantage of ZIFT over IVF-ET in male-factor infertility in terms of reproductive outcome or economic benefit.