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Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics
Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics 8/2016

01-08-2016 | Review

Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in women with poor ovarian response undergoing IVF or ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Meixiang Zhang, Wenbin Niu, Yu Wang, Jiawei Xu, Xiao Bao, Linlin Wang, Linqing Du, Yingpu Sun

Published in: Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics | Issue 8/2016

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Abstract

Purpose

We reviewed the influence of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation in patients with poor ovarian response (POR) undergoing in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI).

Methods

We searched Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, and the Cochrane Library (1980–2015) for relevant papers and used the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale scoring system to evaluate study quality. Dichotomous data were expressed as pooled relative risk (RR) estimates with fixed or random effect models. Continuous variables were expressed as the weighted mean difference (WMD). All data were analyzed using Revman Software v. 5 and are shown with 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. DHEA pretreatment increased the clinical pregnancy rate (RR 1.53, 95 % CI 1.25–1.86), live birth rate (RR 1.87, 95 % CI 1.22–2.88), implantation rate (RR 1.56, 95 % CI 1.20–2.01), and antral follicle count (WMD 0.4, 95 % CI 0.14 to 0.66) while reducing miscarriages (RR 0.50, 95 % CI 0.27–0.90). After subgroup analysis, oocyte numbers and anti-Müllerian hormone levels were also enhanced after DHEA treatment. However, the endometrial thickness and estradiol levels on the day of injecting hCG to induce ovulation were similar between the DHEA supplementation groups and controls.

Conclusions

Based on the limited available evidence, DHEA supplementation seems to improve ovarian reserves and IVF/ICSI outcome in patients with POR. Further research is required to clarify the effect of DHEA exposure in assisted reproduction technology.
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Metadata
Title
Dehydroepiandrosterone treatment in women with poor ovarian response undergoing IVF or ICSI: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Meixiang Zhang
Wenbin Niu
Yu Wang
Jiawei Xu
Xiao Bao
Linlin Wang
Linqing Du
Yingpu Sun
Publication date
01-08-2016
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Journal of Assisted Reproduction and Genetics / Issue 8/2016
Print ISSN: 1058-0468
Electronic ISSN: 1573-7330
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10815-016-0713-5

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