1
|
Zhao W, Li Z, Cai B, Zhou C, Mai Q. Impact of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate and free androgen index on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in PCOS patients. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:43. [PMID: 38627777 PMCID: PMC11020179 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01212-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent endocrine disorder associated with infertility and pregnancy complications. The pathogenesis of PCOS and its impact on reproductive function may be influenced by the source of androgens, including testosterone, free androgen, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS). However, the differential effects of these androgen on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes and the cut-off value of East Asian population with PCOS remain unclear. METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Reproductive Medicine Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from January 2015 to November 2022, involving 636 cycles of in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Subgroup analyses were performed using cut-off values of 6.4 for free androgen index (FAI), 9.5 µmol/L for DHEAS. Pregnancy and neonatal outcomes were compared between groups. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to identify significant cut-off values affecting pregnancy. RESULTS Higher FAI levels (> 6.4) were associated with decrease in clinical pregnancy rate (PR) (50.61% vs. 41.66%, p = 0.024), live birth rate (LBR) (42.42% vs. 32.35%, p = 0.011). When DHEAS levels exceeded 9.5 µmol/L, there was a significant decrease in clinical PR (51.27% vs. 42.73%, P = 0.039), LBR (42.73% vs. 32.73%, P = 0.012). Negative correlations were also observed between DHEAS levels and cumulative pregnancy rate (70.57% vs 56.62% p = 0.002) and cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) (59.35% vs 43.37%, p = 0.0007). Both FAI and DHEAS elevated is associated with the lowest clinical pregnancy rate (37.84%). Conversely, when solely FAI is elevated, the pregnancy rate increases to 52.38%, while an elevation in DHEAS alone is associated with a pregnancy rate of, both of which are lower than when neither FAI nor DHEAS are elevated (60.68%). The live birth rates exhibit a similar trend (30.00% vs 40.00% vs 41.83% vs 44.48%). RCS revealed a significant decrease in CPR and CLBR when DHEA levels exceeded 7.69 umol/L, while the cut-off value of FAI was 6.36 for CPR and CLBR. CONCLUSION In conclusion, PCOS patients with biochemical hyperandrogenism show unsatisfactory clinical PR and CLBR when undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART). This may be attributed to the influence of both adrenal-derived DHEAS and ovarian-derived FAI on the unfavorable pregnancy outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wen Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for obstetrical and gynecological diseases, Guangdong, China
| | - Zeting Li
- Department of Endocrinology, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bing Cai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for obstetrical and gynecological diseases, Guangdong, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for obstetrical and gynecological diseases, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qingyun Mai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
- Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for obstetrical and gynecological diseases, Guangdong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hart RJ. Nutritional supplements and IVF: an evidence-based approach. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 48:103770. [PMID: 38184959 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Many women undergoing IVF take supplements during treatment. The purpose of this review was to systematically review these nutritional supplements. The therapies studied are dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), melatonin, co-enzyme Q10 (CoQ1O), carnitine, selenium, vitamin D, myo-inositol, omega-3, Chinese herbs and dietary interventions. A literature search up to May 2023 was undertaken. The data suggest that a simple nutritional approach would be to adopt a Mediterranean diet. With regards to supplements to treat a potential poor ovarian response to ovarian stimulation, starting DHEA and COQ-10 before cycle commencement is better than control therapies. Furthermore, medication with CoQ10 may have some merit, although it is unclear whether its place is for older women, for those with a poor response to ovarian stimulation or for poor embryonic development. There appears a benefit for some IVF outcomes for the use of melatonin, although it is unclear what group of patients would derive the benefit and the appropriate dosing regimen. For women with polycystic ovary syndrome, there may be a benefit to the use of myo-inositol, although again the dosing regimen is unclear. Furthermore, the place of vitamin D supplementation has yet to be clarified, and supplementation with omega-3 free fatty acids may lead to improvements in clinical and embryological IVF outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Roger J Hart
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia and City Fertility Clinic, Claremont, Western Australia, Australia..
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Hugues JN. Subtle perturbations of ovarian steroidogenesis in patients classified as Poseidon Group 3. Which consequences for therapeutic strategy? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1231585. [PMID: 38384970 PMCID: PMC10879926 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1231585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The optimal strategy for stimulation of young women with a low ovarian reserve is still a challenging issue because the physio-pathogeny of this disorder is often unknown. As androgen production by the ovary plays a crucial role in folliculogenesis, it was tempting to speculate that subtle perturbations in ovarian steroidogenesis might participate to the low responsiveness to gonadotrophins. Indeed, in vitro analysis of human luteinized granulosa cells has recently provided evidence for some enzymatic deficits in steroidogenesis and altered response to gonadotrophins. Therefore, improving androgen environment of women classified in Poseidon Group 3 should be considered. In this clinical situation, the potential benefit of androgen supplementation or stimulation of theca cells by LH-activity products are respectively discussed.
Collapse
|
4
|
Fang L, Ma C, Ma Y, Zhao H, Peng Y, Wang G, Chen Y, Zhang T, Xu S, Cai G, Cao Y, Pan F. Associations of long-term exposure to air pollution and green space with reproductive hormones among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology: A longitudinal study. Sci Total Environ 2023; 905:166941. [PMID: 37716676 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
Studies investigating the association between long-term exposure to air pollution (AP)/green space and female reproductive hormones are still limited. Furthermore, their interactive effects remain unclear. Our study sought to explore the separate and interactive impacts of AP/green space on reproductive hormones among women undergoing assisted reproductive technology. We measured estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the longitudinal assisted reproduction cohort in Anhui, China. The annual mean concentrations of air pollutants were calculated at the residential level. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 500-m represented green space exposure. To assess the effect of AP/green space on hormones, we employed multivariable linear mixed-effect models. Our results showed that each one-interquartile range (IQR) increment in particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) was associated with -0.03[-0.05, -0.01], -0.03[-0.05, -0.02], and -0.03[-0.05, -0.01] decrease in P. An IQR increase in PM2.5, PM10, SO2, and carbon monoxide (CO) was associated with a -0.16[-0.17, -0.15], -0.15[-0.16, -0.14], -0.15[-0.16, -0.14], and -0.12[-0.13, -0.11] decrease in T and a -0.31[-0.35, -0.27], -0.30[-0.34, -0.26], -0.26[-0.30, -0.22], and -0.21[-0.25, -0.17] decrease in FSH. Conversely, NDVI500-m was associated with higher levels of P, T, and FSH, with β of 0.05[0.02, 0.08], 0.06[0.04, 0.08], and 0.07[0.00, 0.14]. Moreover, we observed the "U" or "J" exposure-response curves between PM2.5, PM10, and SO2 concentrations and E2 and P levels, as well as "inverted-J" curves between NDVI500-m and T and FSH levels. Furthermore, we found statistically significant interactions of SO2 and NDVI500-m on E2 and P as well as CO and NDVI500-m on E2. These findings indicated that green space might mitigate the negative effects of SO2 on E2 and P, as well as the effect of CO on E2. Future research is needed to determine these findings and underlying mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Fang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Cong Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Yubo Ma
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Yongzheng Peng
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Guosheng Wang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Yuting Chen
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Shanshan Xu
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Guoqi Cai
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No. 218 Jixi Road, Hefei 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No. 81 Meishan Road, Hefei 230032, Anhui, China.
| | - Faming Pan
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China; The Inflammation and Immune Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Medical University, 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, Anhui 230032, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Friis Wang N, Bogstad JW, Petersen MR, Pinborg A, Yding Andersen C, Løssl K. Androgen and inhibin B levels during ovarian stimulation before and after 8 weeks of low-dose hCG priming in women with low ovarian reserve. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:1807-1815. [PMID: 37354554 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does 8 weeks of daily low-dose hCG administration affect androgen or inhibin B levels in serum and/or follicular fluid (FF) during the subsequent IVF/ICSI cycle in women with low ovarian reserve? SUMMARY ANSWER Androgen levels in serum and FF, and inhibin B levels in serum, decreased following 8 weeks of hCG administration. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Recently, we showed that 8 weeks of low-dose hCG priming, in between two IVF/ICSI treatments in women with poor ovarian responder (anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) <6.29 pmol/l), resulted in more follicles of 2-5 mm and less of 6-10-mm diameter at the start of stimulation and more retrieved oocytes at oocyte retrieval. The duration of stimulation and total FSH consumption was increased in the IVF/ICSI cycle after priming. Hypothetically, hCG priming stimulates intraovarian androgen synthesis causing upregulation of FSH receptors (FSHR) on granulosa cells. It was therefore unexpected that antral follicles were smaller and the stimulation time longer after hCG priming. This might indicate a different mechanism of action than previously suggested. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Blood samples were drawn on stimulation day 1, stimulation days 5-6, trigger day, day of oocyte retrieval, and oocyte retrieval + 5 days in the IVF/ICSI cycles before and after hCG priming (the control and study cycles, respectively). FF was collected from the first aspirated follicle on both sides during oocyte retrieval in both cycles. The study was conducted as a prospective, paired, non-blinded, single-center study conducted between January 2021 and July 2021 at a tertiary care center. The 20 participants underwent two identical IVF/ICSI treatments: a control cycle including elective freezing of all blastocysts and a study cycle with fresh blastocyst transfer. The control and study cycles were separated by 8 weeks (two menstrual cycles) of hCG priming by daily injections of 260 IU recombinant hCG. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Women aged 18-40 years with cycle lengths of 23-35 days and AMH <6.29 pmol/l were included. Control and study IVF/ICSI cycles were performed in a fixed GnRH-antagonist protocol. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Inhibin B was lower on stimulation day 1 after hCG priming (P = 0.05). Dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) was significantly lower on stimulation day 1 (P = 0.03), and DHEAS and androstenedione were significantly lower on stimulation days 5-6 after priming (P = 0.02 and P = 0.02) The testosterone level in FF was significantly lower in the study cycle (P = 0.008), while the concentrations of inhibin B and androstenedione in the FF did not differ between the study and control cycles. A lower serum inhibin B in the study cycle corresponds with the antral follicles being significantly smaller after priming, and this probably led to a longer stimulation time in the study cycle. This contradicts the theory that hCG priming increases the intraovarian androgen level, which in turn causes more FSHR on developing (antral up to preovulatory) follicles. However, based on this study, we cannot rule out that an increased intra-follicular androgen level was present at initiation of the ovarian stimulation, without elevating the androgen level in serum and that an increased androgen level may have rescued some small antral follicles that would have otherwise undergone atresia by the end of the previous menstrual cycle. We retrieved significantly more oocytes in the Study cycle, and the production of estradiol per follicle ≥10-mm diameter on trigger day was comparable in the study and control cycles, suggesting that the rescued follicles were competent in terms of producing oocytes and steroid hormones. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The sample size was small, and the study was not randomized. Our study design did not allow for the measurement and comparison of androgen levels or FSHR expression in small antral follicles before and immediately after the hCG-priming period. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The results make us question the mechanism of action behind hCG priming prior to IVF. It is important to design a study with the puncture of small antral follicles before and immediately after priming to investigate the proposed hypothesis. Improved cycle outcomes, i.e. more retrieved oocytes, must be confirmed in a larger, preferably randomized study. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by an unrestricted grant from Gedeon Richter awarded to the institution. A.P. reports personal consulting fees from PregLem SA, Novo Nordisk A/S, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Gedeon Richter Nordics AB, Cryos International, and Merck A/S outside the submitted work and payment or honoraria for lectures from Gedeon Richter Nordics AB, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, Merck A/S, and Theramex and Organon & Co and payment for participation in an advisory board for Preglem. Grants to the institution have been provided by Gedeon Richter Nordics AB, Ferring Pharmaceuticals A/S, and Merck A/S, and equipment and travel support has been given to the institution by Gedeon Richter Nordics AB. The remaining authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04643925.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- N Friis Wang
- The Fertility Department, Section 4071, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - J W Bogstad
- The Fertility Department, Section 4071, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - M R Petersen
- The Fertility Department, Section 4071, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - A Pinborg
- The Fertility Department, Section 4071, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Section 5712, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - K Løssl
- The Fertility Department, Section 4071, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang R, Zhao Y, Miao C, Chen Y, Ren N, Yang L, Cheng W, Zhang Q, Fang X. Investigation of the Mechanisms and Experimental Verification of Yulin Formula in the Treatment of Diminished Ovarian Reserve via Network Pharmacology. Drug Des Devel Ther 2023; 17:2147-2163. [PMID: 37521037 PMCID: PMC10377651 DOI: 10.2147/dddt.s413142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose The aim of this study is to examine, using network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation, the pharmacological processes by which Yulin Formula (YLF) reduces cyclophosphamide-induced diminished ovarian reserve (DOR). Methods First, information about the active components, associated targets, and related genes of YLF and DOR was gathered from open-access databases. The primary targets and pathways of YLF to reduce DOR were predicted using studies of functional enrichment from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Gene Ontology (GO), and Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) networks. Second, we built a cyclophosphamide-induced diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) rat model to verify the primary target proteins implicated in the predicted signaling pathway to explore the mechanism of improve ovarian function of YLF. Results 98 targets met the targets of the 82 active ingredients in YLF and DOR after searching the intersection of the active ingredient targets and DOR targets. Fourteen targets, including AKT and Caspase-3 among others, were hub targets, according to the PPI network study. The PI3K/AKT pathway was revealed to be enriched by numerous targets by the GO and KEGG enrichment studies, and it was used as a target for in vivo validation. Animal studies showed that YLF administration not only reduced the number of atretic follicles, the proportion of TUNEL-positive ovarian cells, the rate of apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) and the proportion of abnormal mitochondria in DOR rats, but also reversed the high expression of Caspase-3, Caspase-9, BAX, cytochrome C, PI3K and P-AKT, improving the ovarian reserve in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced DOR rats. Conclusion Our research results predicted the active ingredients and potential targets of YLF-interfering DOR by an integrated network pharmacology approach, and experimentally validated some key target proteins participated in the predicted signaling pathway. A more comprehensive understanding of the pharmacological mechanism of YLF for DOR treatment was obtained.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruye Wang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ying Zhao
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Chenyun Miao
- School of Life Sciences, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ning Ren
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liuqin Yang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Research Institute of Women’s Reproductive Health, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaohong Fang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Katsika ET, Bosdou JK, Goulis DG, Grimbizis GF, Kolibianakis EM. Higher live birth rate following transdermal testosterone pretreatment in poor responders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:81-91. [PMID: 36369150 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2022] [Revised: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed aiming to identify good-quality randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating testosterone pretreatment in poor responders. Eight RCTs were analysed, evaluating 797 women. Transdermal testosterone gel was used in all studies, with a dose ranging from 10 to 12.5 mg/day for 10-56 days. The main outcome measure was achievement of pregnancy, expressed as clinical pregnancy or live birth. Testosterone pretreatment was associated with a significantly higher live birth (risk ratio [RR] 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-3.92) and clinical pregnancy rate (RR 2.25, 95% CI 1.54-3.30), as well as a significant increase in the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes retrieved. Significantly fewer days to complete ovarian stimulation, a lower total dose of gonadotrophins, a lower cancellation rate due to poor ovarian response and a thicker endometrium on the day of triggering of final oocyte maturation were observed. No significant differences were observed in oestradiol concentration, the numbers of follicles ≥17 mm, metaphase II oocytes, two-pronuclear oocytes and embryos transferred, and the proportion of patients with embryo transfer. The current study suggests that the probability of pregnancy is increased in poor responders pretreated with transdermal testosterone who are undergoing ovarian stimulation for IVF.
Collapse
|