title: Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation improves predictive markers for diminished ovarian reserve: serum AMH, inhibin B and antral follicle count.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on ovarian reserve by measuring markers such as antral follicle count, serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B in patients with diminished ovarian reserve.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study was undertaken at Dr. Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. Forty-one patients with diminished ovarian reserve were included in the study and received supplementation with DHEA 25mg, t.i.d., for at least 6 weeks. Serum AMH, inhibin B, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and oestradiol, and antral follicle count were determined before and after DHEA supplementation. Baseline ovarian reserve parameters such as antral follicle count, FSH, oestradiol, AMH, inhibin B, clinical and laboratory IVF outcomes, and pregnancy rates were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences in day 3 FSH, oestradiol, antral follicle count, AMH and inhibin B levels before and after DHEA supplementation in all patients (p=0.001, 0.001, 0.002, 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). The study population was divided into two age groups (<35 and ≥35 years) to determine whether there was a difference in the effect of DHEA supplementation between younger and older patients with diminished ovarian reserve. Significant differences were found in all of the parameters in both study groups (p<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  DHEA supplementation is an effective option for patients with diminished ovarian reserve. Prior to assisted reproductive technology, patients with diminished ovarian reserve should be offered DHEA supplementation as an alternative to oocyte donation.
authors.affiliation: IVF Department, Zekai Tahir Burak Women's Health Research and Education Hospital, Ankara, Turkey. nafiyekarakas@gmail.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Yilmaz
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Uygur
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Inal
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Gorkem
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cicek
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mollamahmutoglu
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007265:Inhibins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood*; D010053:Ovary / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; C422364:inhibin B; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D007265:Inhibins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone
keywords: AMH; ART; DHEA supplementation; Diminished ovarian reserve; Inhibin B