Abstract: Objective：To evaluate the effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) supplementation on the ovarian response and clinical outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) in poor responders. Methods：A prospective case-control study was conducted in 78 POR patients treated by IVF/ICSI-ET from January 2015 to June 2017 in Tianjin First Central Hospital, including 41 cases in the DHEA pre-treatment group (DHEA group) and 37 cases in the control group. Patients in the DHEA group received DHEA pretreatment before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. General data, ovarian reserve and IVF outcome were compared between the two groups. Results：There were no significant differences in age, duration of infertility, body mass index (BMI) and parameters of ovarian reserve including basic follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) between the two groups (all P＞0.05). The number of follicles, the number of retrieved oocytes and clinical pregnancy rate were significantly higher in the DHEA group than those in the control group, while the total dosage of gonadotropin (Gn) was significantly lower in the DHEA group (all P＜0.05). There were the trends in improving the oocyte retrieval rate, cleavage rate, high-quality embryo rate and implantation rate in the DHEA group, and a trend in decreasing the cycle cancellation rate(all P＞0.05). The number of follicles, oocyte retrieval rate and implantation rate were significantly higher in patients aged ＜37 years than those aged ≥37 years in the DHEA group (P＜0.05). Conclusions：DHEA supplementation in some women with POR can enhance the ovarian response, reduce the dosage of gonadotropin and improve the clinical outcome of IVF. DHEA supplementation is more effective for young patients.

Key words:  Dehydroepiandrosterone, Poor ovarian response, Ovary, Fertilization in vitro, Embryo transfer, Anti-mullerian hormone