RE: Dehydroepiandrosterone supplementation has no added benefit on live birth rate in poor ovarian responders
We read the recently published article in your journal with great interest(1). Due to paucity of literature, the routine use of dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA) prior to In-vitro fertilisation cycle (IVF) was inconclusive. But this study succeeds in highlighting similar effect of DHEA as compared to a placebo, thus concluding no beneficial effect of DHEA on the live birth rate.
Although the study provides concrete evidence, thus refuting the use of DHEA in IVF cycle, however we as readers would like to enquire the authors about some concerns that can help in better understanding of this randomised trial.
Disclosure of interests: No conflicts to declare.
REFERENCES
1. Wang Z, Yang A, Bao H, Wang A, Deng X, Xue D, et al. 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. BJOG. 2021 Dec 29;1471-0528.17045.
2. Alviggi C, Andersen CY, Buehler K, Conforti A, De Placido G, Esteves SC, et al. A new more detailed stratification of low responders to ovarian stimulation: from a poor ovarian response to a low prognosis concept. Fertility and Sterility. 2016 Jun;105(6):1452–3.
3. The ESHRE Guideline Group on Ovarian Stimulation, Bosch E, Broer S, Griesinger G, Grynberg M, Humaidan P, et al. ESHRE guideline: ovarian stimulation for IVF/ICSI†. Human Reproduction Open. 2020 Feb 1;2020(2):hoaa009.
4. Guidelines for the number of embryos to transfer following in vitro fertilization: No. 182, September 2006. International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics. 2008 Aug;102(2):203–16.