title: Effects of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation on women with poor ovarian response: A preliminary report and review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on women with poor ovarian response (POR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Women with POR treated with flexible daily gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles at The Reproductive Center in Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital between January 2013 and October 2013, were enrolled for this prospective study. When patients failed to become pregnant during the first IVF cycle, they were treated with DHEA supplementation (30 mg, 3 times a day, orally) for 3 months (mean 12.2 weeks) before the next IVF cycle. Parameters of biochemical, ultrasound and treatment outcomes were compared before and after DHEA supplementation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ten patients with a mean age of 36.6 ± 4.2 years were identified. After DHEA treatment, there was a significant increase in antral follicle count, from 2.8 ± 1.0 to 4.1 ± 1.2 (p < 0.05), and anti-Müllerian hormone, from 0.4 ± 0.2 ng/mL to 0.84 ± 0.2 ng/mL (p < 0.001). A significant decrease of Day 3 follicle-stimulating hormone and estradiol, from 14.4 ± 1.7 mIU/mL to 10.1 ± 0.7 mIU/mL and from 51.2 ± 6.3 pg/mL to 35.2 ± 4.2 pg/mL, respectively (both p < 0.001), was noted. Increased numbers of retrieved oocytes (from 2.4 ± 1.1 to 4.2 ± 1.2; p < 0.01), fertilized oocytes (from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 3.8 ± 1.1; p < 0.001), Day 3 embryos (from 1.7 ± 0.5 to 3.7 ± 1.1; p < 0.001) and transferred embryos (from 1.7 ± 0.8 to 2.8 ± 0.8; p < 0.01) were also seen in these women with POR after DHEA treatment. Three women became pregnant after DHEA treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The potential benefits of DHEA supplementation in women with POR were suggested by the biochemical parameters and IVF outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Pharmacy and Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Technology, Tajen University, Yanpu, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Kuan-Hao
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Tsui
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Su-Ao and Yuanshan Branch, Ilan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Li-Te
authors.initials: LT
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Renin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, Ilan, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Ben-Shian
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Science, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Electronic address: tusya@mail.nsysu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Jiin-Tsuey
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Yang-Ming University Hospital, Ilan, Taiwan; Division of Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Immunology Center, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address: phwang@vghtpe.gov.tw.
authors.forename: Peng-Hui
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005300:Fertility Agents, Female / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D065851:Ovarian Reserve / Q000187:drug effects*; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005300:Fertility Agents, Female; D003687:Dehydroepiandrosterone
keywords: dehydroepiandrosterone; diminished ovarian reserve; in vitro fertilization