GIFT is a procedure whereby the eggs are fertilized within the women's fallopian tubes. Oocytes are recovered by the laparoscopic technique. After collection, the oocytes are mixed with prepared husband's sperm and the mixture is taken into a fine catheter and placed directly into the fallopian tube where fertilization is most likely to occur. However , if surplus oocytes remain after the GIFT procedure , they will be inseminated in vitro and checked the following day for signs of fertilization and also can be frozen for future attempts. GIFT can be used to treat couples with unexplained infertility , cervical mucus problem , pelvic endometriosis or ovulatory disorder. GIFT is unsuitable for patients with damaged fallopian tubes or very poor sperm quality.

A disadvantage of GIFT is the uncertainty whether fertilization has occurred or not.