A meta-analysis of dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation among women with diminished ovarian reserve undergoing in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection

Background: Evidence for the efficacy of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in improving ovarian responsiveness among poor responders, especially women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR), remains inconsistent.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of DHEA in women with DOR undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).

Search strategy: PubMed and Embase were searched for reports published in any language before October 31, 2014, using keywords such as "DHEA," "poor ovarian response," "diminished ovarian reserve," and "premature ovarian aging."

Selection criteria: Studies that explored the effects of DHEA in women with DOR undergoing IVF/ICSI were included if they evaluated the number of oocytes retrieved and/or the rates of clinical pregnancy, implantation, and spontaneous abortion.

Data collection and analysis: Risk ratios (RRs) and standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, combined with subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

Main results: Eight studies were included. The use of DHEA increased the clinical pregnancy rate (RR 2.13; 95% CI 1.12-4.08). Similar results were obtained in subgroup analyses including randomized controlled trials and case-control studies (RR 2.57; 95% CI 1.43-4.63) and self-controlled studies (RR 3.95; 95% CI 1.28-12.19). However, the effects of DHEA on oocyte retrieval, implantation, and abortion were not significant.

Conclusions: Supplementation with DHEA has a positive effect in women undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment for DOR.