Female Fertility Studies

Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Armour M, Smith CA, Wang LQ, et al. 2019. Acupuncture for Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 8(8):1140.
Published on Aug 14, 2019

Acupuncture in improving endometrial receptivity: a systematic review and meta-analysis
We found very low to moderate level of evidence that acupuncture may improve pregnancy rate and embryo transfer rate, increase trilinear endometrium, thicken endometrium, reduce resistive index (RI), pulse index (PI) and peak systolic velocity/ end-diastolic blood velocity (S/D), compared with medication, sham acupuncture or physiotherapy. Acupuncture was statistically significant as a treatment approach.
Published on Mar 13, 2019

Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Smith CA et al. 2019. Acupuncture performed around the time of embryo transfer: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reprod Biomed Online. 2019 Mar;38(3):364-379. doi: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.12.038. Epub 2019 Jan 2. CONCLUSIONS: Acupuncture may be effective when compared to no adjunctive treatment with increasing clinical pregnancies and live births, but is not an efficacious treatment when compared with sham controls. ("Sham acupuncture is not an effective control, because anytime you put a needle in the body you affect a change", Stephanie Gianarelli)
Published on Mar 1, 2019

Adverse effect of superoxide-induced mitochondrial damage in granulosa cells on follicular development in mouse ovaries
Hoque SAM, Umehara T, Kawai T, Shimada M. 2021. Adverse effect of superoxide-induced mitochondrial damage in granulosa cells on follicular development in mouse ovaries. Free Radic Biol Med. 163:344-355.
Published on Feb 1, 2021

Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T and A1298C Gene Polymorphisms With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Syrian Women
Al-Achkar W, Wafa A, Ammar S, Moassass F, Jarjour RA. 2017. Association of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase C677T and A1298C Gene Polymorphisms With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss in Syrian Women. Reprod Sci. 24(9):1275-1279.
Published on Sep 14, 2017

Chinese Herbal Medicine Fertility Studies
Ried K, Stuart K., Complement Ther Med. 2011 Dec;19(6):319-31. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests that management of female infertility with Chinese Herbal Medicine can improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 4 month period compared with Western Medical fertility drug therapy or IVF. Assessment of the quality of the menstrual cycle, integral to TCM diagnosis, appears to be fundamental to successful treatment of female infertility.
Published on Dec 19, 2011

Effect of a 6-week "Mediterranean" dietary intervention on in vitro human embryo development
Kermack AJ, Lowen P, Wellstead SJ, Fisk HL, Montag M, Cheong Y, Osmond C, Houghton FD, Calder PC, Macklon NS. 2020. Effect of a 6-week "Mediterranean" dietary intervention on in vitro human embryo development: the Preconception Dietary Supplements in Assisted Reproduction double-blinded randomized controlled trial. Fertil Steril. 113(2):260-269.
Published on Feb 14, 2020

Effects and mechanisms of acupuncture in the reproductive system.
Stener-Victorin E, Wu X., Auton Neurosci. 2010 Oct 28;157(1-2):46-51. doi: 10.1016/j.autneu.2010.03.006. Epub 2010 Mar 29. Source: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg University, Sweden. elisabet.stener-victorin@neuro.gu.se ABSTRACT: The use of acupuncture to treat reproductive dysfunction has not been well investigated. Only a few clinical studies have been reported, most of which are flawed by poor design and a lack of valid outcome measures and diagnostic criteria, making the results difficult to interpret. Experimental studies, however, show that acupuncture has substantial effects on reproductive function. Here we review the possible mechanisms of action of acupuncture on the reproductive system and its effects on reproductive dysfunction, focusing in particular on polycystic ovary syndrome, the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder in women. Clinical and experimental evidence demonstrates that acupuncture is a suitable alternative or complement to pharmacological induction of ovulation, without adverse side effects. Clearly, acupuncture modulates endogenous regulatory systems, including the sympathetic nervous system, the endocrine system, and the neuroendocrine system. Randomized clinical trials are warranted to further evaluate the clinical effects of acupuncture in reproductive disorders.
Published on Oct 28, 2010

Effects of Acupuncture on Endometrium and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Wu, Jm., Ning, Y., Ye, Yy. et al. Effects of Acupuncture on Endometrium and Pregnancy Outcomes in Patients with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization-Embryo Transfer: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Chin. J. Integr. Med. (2022). Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture on endometrium and pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Methods Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned to observation group (40 cases) and control group (43 cases) according to the random numbers generated by SPSS software. The patients of the two groups received GnRH agonist long protocol as a routine treatment. In the observation group, acupuncture was given at two acupoint groups for 30 min once every other day. Group 1 included Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), bilateral acupoints Zigong (EX-CA1). Group 2 included Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3), bilateral Shenshu (BL 23) and Ciliao (BL 32). The two groups of acupoints were used alternately. The whole needling process was performed at the time of ovulation induction until the transplantation day and consisted of 3 courses, while the control group did not receive acupuncture interventions. The Gn dosage and Gn stimulation time, endometrial thickness and type (A, B, and C), serum oestradiol (E2) and progesterone (P) levels on the day of injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), clinical pregnancy rate, as well as live birth rate were observed. Adverse reactions were also be recorded. All patients were followed up for the pregnant rate 14 days after IVF-ET and live birth rate after pregnancy. All adverse reactions (AEs) of acupuncture were recorded during the trial. Results The Gn dosage and Gn stimulation time in the observation group were lower in the observation group than in the control group (P<0.01). The proportion of type A endometrium in the observation group were higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). The serum E2 and P levels on the day of hCG injection was lower and the clinical pregnancy rate was higher in the observation group compared to those in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious AEs during this trial. Conclusion Acupuncture can improve the proportion of type A endometrium, regulate the levels of serum E2 and P on the day of hCG injection, and improve the pregnancy rate in patients with PCOS infertility undergoing IVF-ET.
Published on Apr 13, 2022

Effects of acupuncture on LIF and IL-12 in rats of implantation failure.
Gui J, Xiong F, Yang W, Li J, Huang G. Am J Reprod Immunol. 2012 May;67(5):383-90. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.01097.x. Epub 2012 Jan 9th Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Wuhan, Hubei, China. CONCLUSION: Acupuncture could improve the poor receptive state of endometrium by promoting LIF and IL-12 secretion to improve blastocyst implantation.
Published on Jul 9, 2012

Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for psychological and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women and men: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Frederiksen Y, Farver-Vestergaard I, Skovgård NG, Ingerslev HJ, Zachariae R. 2015. Efficacy of psychosocial interventions for psychological and pregnancy outcomes in infertile women and men: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 5(1):e006592.
Published on Jan 28, 2015

Efficacy of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the management of female infertility: a systematic review.
Ried K, Stuart K., 2011, Complement Ther Med. 2011 Dec;19(6):319-31. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2011.09.003. Epub 2011 Oct 5. CONCLUSIONS: Our review suggests that management of female infertility with Chinese Herbal Medicine can improve pregnancy rates 2-fold within a 4 month period compared with Western Medical fertility drug therapy or IVF. Assessment of the quality of the menstrual cycle, integral to TCM diagnosis, appears to be fundamental to successful treatment of female infertility.
Published on Dec 19, 2011

Endometrial growth and uterine blood flow: a pilot study for improving endometrial thickness in the patients with a thin endometrium
Takasaki A, Tamura H, Miwa I, Taketani T, Shimamura K, Sugino N. 2010 Endometrial growth and uterine blood flow: a pilot study for improving endometrial thickness in the patients with a thin endometrium. Fertil Steril. 93(6):1851-8.
Published on Apr 1, 2010

Evidence for bisphenol A-induced female infertility: a review (2007-2016)
Ziv-Gal A, Flaws JA. 2016. Evidence for bisphenol A-induced female infertility: a review (2007-2016). Fertil Steril. 106(4):827-856.
Published on Sep 15, 2016

Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: consequences for female fertility
Rattan S, Zhou C, Chiang C, Mahalingam S, Brehm E, Flaws JA. 2017. Exposure to endocrine disruptors during adulthood: consequences for female fertility. J Endocrinol. 233(3):R109-R129.
Published on Jun 1, 2017

Impact of whole systems traditional Chinese medicine on in-vitro fertilization outcomes.
Hullender Rubin LE et al. 2015. Reproductive Biomedicine Online. 2015 Jun;30(6):602-12. Overall, IVF with adjuvant WS-TCM (whole-systems traditional Chinese medicine) was associated with greater odds of live birth in donor and non-donor cycles.
Published on Jun 30, 2015

Likelihood of achieving a 50%, 60%, or 70% estimated live birth rate threshold with 1 or 2 cycles of planned oocyte cryopreservation
Maslow BL, Guarnaccia MM, Ramirez L, Klein JU. 2020. Likelihood of achieving a 50%, 60%, or 70% estimated live birth rate threshold with 1 or 2 cycles of planned oocyte cryopreservation. J Assist Reprod Genet. 37(7):1637-1643.
Published on Jul 1, 2020

Melatonin levels in follicular fluid as markers for IVF outcomes and predicting ovarian reserve
Tong J, Sheng S, Sun Y, Li H, Li WP, Zhang C, Chen ZJ. 2017. Melatonin levels in follicular fluid as markers for IVF outcomes and predicting ovarian reserve. Reproduction. 153(4):443-451.
Published on Apr 14, 2017

Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and susceptibility to recurrent pregnancy loss
Dell'Edera D, L'Episcopia A, Simone F, Lupo MG, Epifania AA, Allegretti A. 2018. Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T and A1298C polymorphisms and susceptibility to recurrent pregnancy loss. Biomed Rep. 8(2):172-175.
Published on Feb 14, 2018

Mitochondrial DNA mutation exacerbates female reproductive aging via impairment of the NADH/NAD+ redox
Yang L, Lin X, Tang H, et al. 2020. Mitochondrial DNA mutation exacerbates female reproductive aging via impairment of the NADH/NAD+ redox. Aging Cell. 19(9):e13206.
Published on Sep 1, 2020

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