JBRA Assisted Reproduction 2025;29(Suppl.2 SBRA 2025):143
Poster Presentation
29^th Annual Congress of the SBRA. São Paulo/SP - Brazil, 2025
doi: 10.5935/1518-0557.20263780

P-131. Impact of Embryo Transfer Training on Pregnancy Outcomes: Evaluation after One Year of Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine

Joao Paolo Bilibio¹, Martina Cordini¹, Ana Carolina Martinhago¹, Leticia Avi¹, Clarissa Formigheri Moretto², Pânila Longhi Lorenzzoni¹

¹ FertiBC Centro de Reprodução Humana - Balneário Camboriú - SC – Brasil
² Universidade do Vale do Itajai-UNIVALI - Itajai - SC – Brasil

Objective: To evaluate the impact of embryo transfer training on pregnancy outcomes achieved by a fellow in reproductive medicine after one year of training, compared to an experienced assisted reproduction specialist.
Methods: This was a case-control study of 40 single euploid embryo transfers performed at the same assisted reproduction center. Twenty transfers were conducted by a fellow after one year of training (fellow group), and twenty by a reproductive specialist (specialist group). Primary outcomes included biochemical pregnancy (β-hCG positivity), spontaneous abortion rate, and ongoing pregnancy rate (≥20 weeks of gestation). Continuous variables (e.g., patient age, antral follicle count, and anti-Müllerian hormone levels) were analyzed using Student's t-test. Categorical outcomes were compared using Fisher's exact test. Statistical analysis also included odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results: The mean age of patients was similar between the fellow group (34.6 years) and the specialist group (35.1 years), p=0.456. Ovarian reserve assessment through antral follicle count and anti-Müllerian hormone levels was also similar. Comparing the results between the fellow and specialist groups: β-hCG positivity, 67.7% versus 81.3%, p=0.330; spontaneous abortion rate of 50.0% versus 16.7%, p=0.060; and ongoing pregnancy rate of 16.7% versus 62.5%, p=0.008. The difference in ongoing pregnancy rates between the groups was statistically significant, with the odds of achieving an ongoing pregnancy being 8.5 times higher when the transfer was performed by a specialist compared to a fellow with one year of training (OR=8.5; 95% CI: 1.86–38.82; p=0.008).
Conclusion: Embryo transfer is a critical step in assisted reproduction that requires both theoretical knowledge and refined technical skill. Despite using euploid embryos and identical laboratory conditions, significant differences in outcomes were observed between the fellow and the specialist, particularly in ongoing pregnancy rate (16.7% versus 62.5%). These findings highlight the importance of practical and comprehensive training for future fertility specialists to ensure optimal clinical outcomes.