Gamete intrafallopian transfer. A cost-effective alternative to donor oocyte in vitro fertilization in women aged 40-42 years.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT) may be a cost-effective alternative to donor oocyte procedures in women 40 and older with good ovarian reserve.


METHODS
Retrospective review of records at an infertility clinic in a large multispecialty group practice. Twenty two consecutive women aged 40 and older underwent 24 stimulation cycles for laparoscopic GIFT procedures from 1988 to 1997.


RESULTS
The mean GIFT cycle cost was $5,731. The delivery rate per stimulation cycle was 25.0%. The patients who gave birth were 40-42 years of age. The mean cost per delivered infant was $22,924. A previously reported value for mean cost per pregnancy for donor oocyte in vitro fertilization (IVF) was $30,457. Theoretical costs per delivery, generated from Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology outcome data for anonymous donor oocyte IVF in 1994 (delivery rate per transfer, 34.4%) for $8,000, $9,000 and $10,000 cycle costs were $23,256, $26,163 and $29,070, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
In women with good ovarian reserve, GIFT may be a cost-effective alternative to donor oocyte IVF at age 40-42.
Silva
P D
PD
Fertility and Reproductive Endocrinology Center, Gundersen/Lutheran Medical Center, La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA. psilva@gc.gundluth.org
Olson
K L
KL
Meisch
J K
JK
Silva
D E
DE
D000328:Adult; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000191:economics*; D015181:Gamete Intrafallopian Transfer / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014922:Wisconsin