Ali Reza Eftekhari moghadam - Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapour University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran
Ghasem Saki - Physiology Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran
Masoud Hemadi - Fertility and Infertility Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Zohre Mazaheri - Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbiat Modarres University, Tehran, Iran
Ali Khodadadi - Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Science, Ahvaz, Iran

Objective(s): Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has been reported to improve pregnancy chances in women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and to reduce miscarriage rates by ۵۰–۸۰%. This study, therefore, assesses effects of DHEA on number of retrieved oocytes and meiotic spindles.Materials and Methods: A randomized, prospective, controlled study was conducted on eight groups, four groups of young mice and four elderly. All young and old groups received different oral doses (۳۵, ۵۰, ۷۵ mg/kg) of DHEA for ۳ months. Meiotic spindle assessment was done by immunocytochemical techniques using a confocal laser microscope (Leica TCS-۴D).Results: Statistical surveys showed that in control young groups ۸۰% (P=۰.۰۸۴۵) and in the old control group ۷۳.۳% (P=۰.۰۰۰) of the meiotic spindles have a normal shape and structure; the difference was meaningful. The young with ۵۰ mg/kg of DHEA in ۸۵.۴% and the young with ۷۵ mg/kg of DHEA in ۸۴.۲% were normal in shape and structure. Statistical analysis showed that the difference was meaningless (P=۰.۸۴۵). The old group with ۳۰ mg/kg of DHEA in ۸۱.۱%, the old with ۵۰ mg/kg of DHEA in ۸۳.۹%, and the old with ۷۵ mg/kg of DHEA in ۷۹.۰% showed normal shape and structure. The meiotic spindle disruption ratio in old mice showed a significant difference (P=۰.۰۰۰) in comparison with others in young groups. Statistical analysis showed that difference between DHEA and control groups is meaningful. But this difference was meaningless between DHEA groups.Conclusion: Results showed that DHEA has a positive and improvement effect on the meiotic spindle in old mice.

DHEA, Meiotic spindle, Mice, Oocyte quality, pregnancy