Transvaginal intratubal embryo transfer: a new treatment of male infertility.

Intratubal embryo transfer is a new method in the treatment of human infertility. Following transvaginal sonographic oocyte retrieval, in-vitro fertilization (IVF) is performed and embryos are transferred into the Fallopian tube transvaginally. In comparison with gamete intra-Fallopian transfer (GIFT), fertilization under in vitro conditions offers the advantage that the success of the fertilization process can be examined. Therefore, this method can give important diagnostic information, especially in cases of poor sperm quality or unexplained infertility. After fertilization in vitro and transfer into the tube, embryonic development occurs in the physiological milieu of the oviduct. Transvaginal intratubal embryo transfer was performed in 95 patients with male factor infertility. In 29 cases (31%), a pregnancy was achieved. One abortion, but no ectopic pregnancy was observed. This method combines the advantages of IVF and GIFT and offers a successful procedure for the treatment of infertility.