Testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate levels and IVF/ICSI results.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of serum androgens [testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS)] on in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) outcomes.


METHODS
This observational (cross sectional) study was conducted on 53 consecutive infertile women undergoing IVF cycles in an academic infertility clinic between September 2006 and August 2007. Basal testosterone and DHEAS were measured and on third day of IVF cycle and on 14th day of embryo transfer these values were re-checked. Serum beta-hCG analysis was done 12 days after embryo transfer and ultrasound scan was scheduled 2 weeks later.


RESULTS
Testosterone level was significantly elevated in pregnant women on 14th day of embryo transfer (p < 0.001). Testosterone and DHEAS concentrations on third day of IVF cycle and DHEAS concentration 2 weeks after embryo transfer had not significant correlation with IVF success, but mean androgens concentrations were higher in pregnant group.


CONCLUSIONS
Serum testosterone concentration on 14th day of embryo transfer can predict successful IVF cycles, so with regulating androgen levels, improved pregnancy rates can be expected.
Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Centre, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. bhrashidi@tums.ac.ir
Batool
B
Hossein Rashidi
Bita
B
Hormoz
Ensiyeh
E
Shahrokh Tehraninejad
Mamak
M
Shariat
Atossa
A
Mahdavi
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate / Q000097:blood*; D004624:Embryo Transfer; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011379:Prognosis; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D013739:Testosterone; D019314:Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate