title: Does dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation really affect IVF-ICSI outcome in women with poor ovarian reserve?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is difficult to choose the correct fertility treatment in women with poor ovarian reserve. Although various methods have been used, the management of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is not easy in poor responders. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF-ICSI) outcome of poor responders.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, prospective controlled trial. Women with serum antimullerian hormone<1 ng/ml or serum follicle-stimulating hormone>15 IU/l and antral follicle count <4 on day 2 of the menstrual cycle were considered to have poor ovarian reserve. All women were treated with a microdose induction protocol. Women in the study group received IVF-ICSI and DHEA 75 mg daily for 12 weeks. Women in the control group received IVF-ICSI without DHEA supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 208 women with diminished ovarian reserve was enrolled in the study, 104 in the study group and 104 in the control group. The number of oocytes retrieved and the fertilization rate were slightly higher in the study group, but the pregnancy rate was higher in the control group. The differences were not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results failed to show that DHEA supplementation enhances IVF-ICSI outcome in women with poor ovarian reserve.
authors: Bozok University Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Yozgat, Turkey. Electronic address: mustafa.kara@bozok.edu.tr.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Kara
authors: Acibadem In Vitro Fertilization Centre, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Aydin
authors: Karadeniz Technical University Medical Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Trabzon, Turkey.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Aran
authors: Kayseri In Vitro Fertilization Centre, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Turktekin
authors: Acibadem In Vitro Fertilization Centre, Kayseri, Turkey.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Ozdemir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007247:Infertility, Female / Q000628:therapy*; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020554:Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: DHEA; IVF-ICSI; Infertility; Poor responder; Pregnancy rate