Abstract:

Objective   To evaluate the effect of treatment with dehydroepiandrosterone ( DHEA ) on in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) outcomes among women with poor response. Methods   Thirty-seven poor response women with at least one IVF cycles received 5075mg of DHEA daily for one to three months. Antral follicle count (AFC), basal follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)，luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), free T (FT), DHEA and IVF outcome parameters were compared before and after the DHEA treatment by paired t-test. Results   Women received (52.03±12.33)mg of DHEA daily for an average of (84.05±35.31) days. Paired analysis of endocrine parameters in 37 patients showed that AFC, T, FT and DHEA increased after DHEA supplementation (P＜0.01), while FSH and LH levels decreased. IVF cycle outcomes demonstrated significant increases on retrieved oocytes and high quality embryos after the DHEA treatment. Ten women conceived (clinical pregnancy rate, 27.03%) and eleven healthy babies were born. Conclusion   DHEA supplementation could significantly increase the androgen level in women with poor response, which could improve ovarian reserve, and increase the number of retrieved oocytes and pregnancy rate.

Key words: Dehydroepiandrosterone; Poor response; Ovarian reserve; In vitro fertilization and embryo transfer; Pregnancy rate