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Evaluation of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation on Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study

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Abstract

Introduction

We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study, to evaluate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), on diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

Materials and Methods

Twenty patients with DOR received DHEA (oral 25 mg three times a day). Post-supplementation 12 weeks, D2/3 age-specific follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels, and antral follicle count (AFC), were repeated to evaluate response. Spontaneous pregnancy rates and regularization of menstrual cycles were also studied as secondary outcome.

Results

Predominant risk factors were age >35 years (28 %) and poor responders to ovarian stimulation (23 %). There was significant improvement of AMH levels (1.15 ± 1.49 vs. 1.53 ± 1.62) found before and after supplementation in the DHEA group. When the AMH values between DHEA and placebo group were compared, pre- and post-supplementation, no significant difference was found. There was decrease in FSH levels and increase in AFC value post-supplementation in both DHEA and placebo groups which was not statically significant. DHEA supplementation benefited clinically, as evidenced by the improvement in the menstrual abnormality spontaneous conception in two cases each.

Conclusions

A significant improvement in AMH levels pre- and post-supplementation of DHEA was noted. The same was not seen for FSH and AFC values.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College of Medical Sciences and Guru Teg Bahadur, Delhi, 110095, India

    Rachna Agarwal, R. Shruthi, Gita Radhakrishnan & Alpana Singh

  2. 4/103, East End Apartments, Mayur Vihar Ph-1 Ext., Delhi, 110096, India

    Rachna Agarwal

Authors
  1. Rachna Agarwal
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  2. R. Shruthi
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  3. Gita Radhakrishnan
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  4. Alpana Singh
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachna Agarwal.

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Conflict of interest

None of the authors have any conflict of interest or financial conflicts. The authors have nothing to disclose.

Research Involving Human Participants

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants, and institutional ethical clearance was obtained for the study.

Additional information

Dr. Rachna Agarwal is Professor at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. R. Shruthi is Ex-Resident at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Gita Radhakrishnan is Director Professor and H.O.D at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dr. Alpana Singh is Assistant Professor at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology

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Agarwal, R., Shruthi, R., Radhakrishnan, G. et al. Evaluation of Dehydroepiandrosterone Supplementation on Diminished Ovarian Reserve: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Obstet Gynecol India 67, 137–142 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-016-0941-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13224-016-0941-8

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