Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone administration before in vitro fertilization on the live birth rate in poor ovarian responders according to the Bologna criteria: A randomised controlled trial

Journal Article · 29 December 2021 · BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.17045 · OSTI ID:1838409

Wang, Ze ^[1]; Yang, Aijun ^[2]; Bao, Hongchu ^[3]; Wang, Ancong ^[4]; Deng, Xiaohui ^[5]; Xue, Dena ^[6]; Tan, Huifang ^[7]; Zhou, Yi ^[8]; Wu, Chuanye ^[9]; Chen, Zi‐Jiang ^[1]; Shi, Yuhua  ^[1]

---

1. Center for Reproductive Medicine Cheeloo College of Medicine Shandong University Jinan China, The Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics Jinan China
2. Department of Reproductive Medicine Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University Jining China
3. Center for Reproductive Medicine Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Yantai China
4. Department of Reproductive Medicine Linyi People's Hospital Linyi China
5. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Center for Reproductive Medicine Qilu Hospital of Shandong University Jinan China
6. Reproductive Hospital of Weifang Medical University Weifang China
7. Center for Reproductive Medicine The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Qingdao China
8. Center for Reproductive Medicine Qingdao Women and Children's Hospital Qingdao University Qingdao China
9. Center for Reproductive Medicine Linyi Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital Linyi China

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) pre‐treatment before in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF‐ET) on the live birth rate in infertile women with poor ovarian response (POR) defined according to the Bologna criteria. Design A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial. Setting Nine reproductive medical centers in China. Population A total of 821 participants with POR defined according to the Bologna criteria were enrolled in the study between April 2016 and December 2018. Methods Eligible participants were randomly assigned to receive either DHEA ( n  = 410) or placebo ( n  = 411) treatments for 4–12 weeks prior to IVF‐ET, in a 1:1 ratio. Main outcome measures Live birth rate after the first embryo transfer. Results Thirty‐six (8.8%) of 410 women in the DHEA group and 37 (9.0%) of 411 women in the placebo group had a live birth, with no significant difference observed between groups (relative risk, 0.98, 95% CI, 0.63–1.51; p  = 0.911). There were no significant differences in the number of retrieved oocytes, and the rates of clinical pregnancy, pregnancy loss, and cumulative live births between the two groups. Conclusions DHEA administration prior to IVF‐ET had no beneficial effect on the live birth rate relative to placebo in women with POR defined according to the Bologna criteria. Tweetable Abstract No benefit was found in poor ovarian responders who received DHEA administration prior to IVF.

• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1838409
• Journal Information: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Journal Name: BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Journal Issue: 7 Vol. 129; ISSN 1470-0328
• Publisher: Wiley-BlackwellCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English