title: Dehydroepiandrosterone administration before IVF in poor responders: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: The use of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) may improve ovarian stimulation outcomes in women of advanced reproductive age and could reduce embryo aneuploidy. In this prospective study, 48 women diagnosed with poor ovarian response received DHEA supplementation for at least 12 weeks. These women were compared with a group of poor responders (n = 113) who did not receive supplementation. During the study period, patients taking day 2 FSH and oestradiol were measured monthly before and after treatment. Stimulation characteristics, stimulation outcome and clinical outcome (clinical pregnancy and live birth rates) were reported. Evaluation of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) was carried out before initiation of treatment and immediately before the subsequent stimulation. Supplementation with DHEA for at least 12 weeks resulted in a modest, but statistically significant, increase in AMH levels and decrease in baseline FSH (P < 0.001 and P = 0.007, respectively). Administration of DHEA had no effect on any of the stimulation parameters nor was there any difference in clinical pregnancy rates and live birth rates between the two groups. Supplementation with DHEA significantly affects women with poor prognosis undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF. Patients should be counselled about the uncertain effectiveness, potential side-effects and cost of this treatment.
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Vas. Sofias str. 7, 11528, Greece; Research Network for the evaluation of DHEA administration in poor responders, University of Athens, Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, University of Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Vlahos
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Unit, "Lito" Maternity Hospital, Mouson str. 7-13, Athens 11524, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Papalouka
authors.affiliation: Reproductive Medicine Unit, "Lito" Maternity Hospital, Mouson str. 7-13, Athens 11524, Greece. Electronic address: triantafyllidouolga@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Triantafyllidou
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Vas. Sofias str. 7, 11528, Greece.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Vas. Sofias str. 7, 11528, Greece.
authors.forename: Panagiotis
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vakas
authors.affiliation: Research Network for the evaluation of DHEA administration in poor responders, University of Athens, Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, University of Ioannina, Greece; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aristoteleion University, Konstantinoupoleos str. 49, Thessaloniki 54642, Greece.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grimbizis
authors.affiliation: 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aretaieion Hospital, University of Athens, Vas. Sofias str. 7, 11528, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creatsas
authors.affiliation: Research Network for the evaluation of DHEA administration in poor responders, University of Athens, Aristoteleion University of Thessaloniki, University of Ioannina, Greece; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ioannina, Dodoniw str. 22, 45332, Greece.
authors.forename: Konstantinos
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zikopoulos
mesh_terms: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000328:Adult; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D001723:Birth Rate; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004958:Estradiol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D009865:Oocytes / Q000166:cytology; D010053:Ovary / Q000187:drug effects*; D010062:Ovulation Induction / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone; D004958:Estradiol; D054304:Anti-Mullerian Hormone; D005640:Follicle Stimulating Hormone
keywords: AMH; DHEA; IVF; ovarian response; ovarian stimulation