title: A randomized, controlled, pilot trial on the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone on ovarian response markers, ovarian response, and in vitro fertilization outcomes in poor responders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate whether pretreatment dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation improves ovarian response markers, ovarian response to standard low-dose gonadotropin stimulation, and in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in poor responders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary reproductive medicine unit.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two women with anticipated poor ovarian response.
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomization into DHEA group (n=16) receiving GNC (25 mg three times a day) or placebo (n=16) starting from at least 12 weeks before the scheduled IVF treatment according to a computer-generated randomization list.
  
  
  METHODS
  Measurement of monthly ovarian response markers, including antral follicle count (AFC), serum antimüllerian hormone (AMH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels; comparison of ovarian response to a standard dose of gonadotropin stimulation at week 8 and IVF outcomes; and AFC after 12 weeks (primary outcome).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The DHEA supplementation resulted in statistically significantly higher serum DHEA-S, free androgen index, and follicular DHEA-S levels. No statistically significant differences in the ovarian response markers (AFC, AMH, or FSH), the ovarian response to standard-dose gonadotropin stimulation, or IVF outcomes were found between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  No statistically significant improvement in ovarian response markers, ovarian response to standard dose gonadotropin stimulation, or IVF outcomes was found in poor responders receiving pretreatment DHEA.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  HKCTR-1149 (www.hkclinicaltrials.com) and NCT01915186 (www.ClinicalTrials.org).
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China. Electronic address: tracyyeungwy@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tracy Wing Yee
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Yeung
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Joyce
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chai
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Raymond Hang Wun
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Vivian Chi Yan
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Pak Chung
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Ernest Hung Yu
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000187:drug effects*; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human / Q000097:blood; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D007246:Infertility / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008596:Menotropins / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D043373:Follicle Stimulating Hormone, Human; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D008596:Menotropins; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone
keywords: DHEA; in vitro fertilization; ovarian response markers; poor responders