Dexamethasone improve ovarian response to ovulation induction drugs in women over 35 years

Abstract EN

Background : with aging, the ovarian reserve is decreased and that is a major contributor to poor ovarian response to ovulation induction treatment.

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the role of Dexamethasone on ovarian response in infertile patients aged over 35 years.

Materials and Methods : in this study, a total of 36 infertile women over age 35, referred to Babylon hospital-infertility clinic from May 2010 to May 2011 were selected.

Ovulation induction was initiated for them using HMG (human menopausal gonadotropin) for 2 consecutive cycles then after excluding 10 women Dexamethasone co-treatment (1mg / d) was started ( in 26 women ) in their next menstrual cycle.

It was started on the 21st day of the menstrual cycle and continued until CD12 together with the HMG (from CD 2-12) of the next cycle.

The main outcome measures were number of mature follicles detected by U / S, number of used HMG ampoules /cycle, and serum E2 level on HCG injection day.

Results : there was no significant statistical difference in age, duration of infertility, hormonal tests, and number of mature follicles.

However, the number of used HMG ampoules was significantly lower in Dexamethasone used cycle compared to non-dexamethasone cycles (p < 0.05).

Conclusion : the addition of dexamethasone 1mg / d to ovulation induction treatment decreased the number of HMG used in patients over 35 years who hold known risk of low ovarian response.