Research

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

Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Manheimer E, Zhang G, Udoff L, Haramati A, Langenberg P, Berman BM, Bouter LM. BMJ. 2008 Mar 8;336(7643):545-9. doi: 10.1136/bmj.39471.430451.BE. Epub 2008 Feb 7. CONCLUSIONS: Current preliminary evidence suggests that acupuncture given with embryo transfer improves rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing in vitro fertilisation.
Published on Feb 7, 2008

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

Electroacupuncture for cervical ripening prior to labor induction: a randomized clinical trial.
Gribel GP, Coca-Velarde LG, Moreira de Sá RA., Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2011 Jun;283(6):1233-8. doi: 10.1007/s00404-010-1526-x. Epub 2010 Jun 8. Source: Maternidade Escola Hospital, Serviço de Obstetrícia, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rua das Laranjeiras, 180 (Laranjeiras), Rio de Janeiro, RJ 22240-003, Brazil. gisele.gribel@ig.com.br CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that electroacupuncture can be used to obtain cervical ripening, with similar results as compared with misoprostol, with a significantly higher frequency of vaginal deliveries and without occurrence of obstetric complications.
Published on Jun 8, 2010

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

Exploring Placentophagy in Humans: Problems and Recommendations
Marraccini ME, Gorman KS., Exploring Placentophagy in Humans: Problems and Recommendations. J Midwifery Womens Health. 2015 Jul-Aug; 60(4):371-9.
Published on Aug 1, 2015

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

Follicular fluid homocysteine levels with N-Acetyl cysteine supplemented controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, correlation with oocyte yield and ICSI cycle outcome
Hebisha, Sherif & Omran, M.S. & Sallam, Hassan & Ahmed, A.I.. 2015. Follicular fluid homocysteine levels with N-Acetyl cysteine supplemented controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, correlation with oocyte yield and ICSI cycle outcome. Fertility and Sterility. 104. e324. 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2015.07.1014.
Published on Sep 1, 2015

Green tea improves rat sperm quality and reduced cadmium chloride damage effect in spermatogenesis cycle
Mahmoudi R, Azizi A, Abedini S, Hemayatkhah Jahromi V, Abidi H, Jafari Barmak M. 2018. Green tea improves rat sperm quality and reduced cadmium chloride damage effect in spermatogenesis cycle. J Med Life. 11(4):371-380.
Published on Oct 14, 2018

Human maternal placentophagy: a survey of self-reported motivations and experiences associated with placenta consumption.
Selander J, Cantor A, Young SM, Benyshek DC. Human maternal placentophagy: a survey of self-reported motivations and experiences associated with placenta consumption. Ecol Food Nutr. 2013;52(2):93-115.
Published on Mar 1, 2013

Human placentophagy: a review
Farr A, Chervenak FA, McCullough LB, Baergen RN, Grünebaum A. Human placentophagy: a review. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2017 Aug 30. pii: S0002-9378(17)30963-8.
Published on Aug 30, 2017

Hypothetical physiological and molecular basis for the effect of acupuncture in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome.
Stener-Victorin E., Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2013 Jul 5;373(1-2):83-90. doi: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.01.006. Epub 2013 Feb 14. Source: Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Box 434, SE-405 30 Gothenburg, Sweden. elisabet.stener-victorin@neuro.gu.se ABSTRACT: Clinical and experimental evidence indicates that acupuncture may be a safe alternative or complement in the treatment of endocrine and reproductive function in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This review describes potential etiological factors of PCOS with the aim to support potential mechanism of action of acupuncture to relieve PCOS related symptoms. The theory that increased sympathetic activity contributes to the development and maintenance of PCOS is presented, and that the effects of acupuncture are, at least in part, mediated by modulation of sympathetic outflow. While there are no relevant randomized controlled studies on the use of acupuncture to treat metabolic abnormalities in women with PCOS, a number of experimental studies indicate that acupuncture may improve metabolic dysfunction. For each aspect of PCOS, it is important to pursue new treatment strategies that have fewer negative side effects than drug treatments, as women with PCOS often require prolonged treatment.
Published on Feb 14, 2013

Impact of electro-acupuncture and physical exercise on hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.
Jedel E, Labrie F, Odén A, Holm G, Nilsson L, Janson PO, Lind AK, Ohlsson C, Stener-Victorin E., Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2011 Jan;300(1):E37-45. doi: 10.1152/ajpendo.00495.2010. Epub 2010 Oct 13. Source: Osher Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden. Conclusions: Low-frequency EA and physical exercise improved hyperandrogenism and menstrual frequency more effectively than no intervention in women with PCOS. Low-frequency EA was superior to physical exercise and may be useful for treating hyperandrogenism and oligo/amenorrhea.
Published on Oct 13, 2010

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

Influence of acupuncture on duration of labor.
Zeisler H, Tempfer C, Mayerhofer K, Barrada M, Husslein P., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Vienna, AKH, Austria. Gynecol Obstet Invest. 1998;46(1):22-5. CONCLUSION(S): This study suggests that AP treatment is a recommendable form of childbirth preparation due to its positive effect on the duration of labor, namely by shortening the first stage of labor.
Published on Dec 1, 1998

Influence of acupuncture on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation when embryo implantation has failed: a prospective randomised controlled clinical trial.
di Villahermosa DI, Dos Santos LG, Nogueira MB, Vilarino FL, Barbosa CP. Acupuncture in Medicine 2013 Jun;31(2):157-61. doi: 10.1136/acupmed-2012-010269. Epub 2013 Mar 19. Source: Faculty of Medicine of ABC, Clinic for Human Reproduction, Santo André, São Paulo, Brazil. RESULTS: The clinical pregnancy rate in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the control and sham groups (35.7% vs 7.1% vs 10.7%; p=0.0169). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, acupuncture and moxibustion increased pregnancy rates when used as an adjuvant treatment in women undergoing IVF, when embryo implantation had failed.
Published on Jul 31, 2013

Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy.
Fertil Steril. 2002 Apr;77(4):721-4. Paulus WE, Zhang M, Strehler E, El-Danasouri I, Sterzik K. – Department of Reproductive Medicine, Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, Germany. CONCLUSION(S): Acupuncture seems to be a useful tool for improving pregnancy rate after ART.
Published on Apr 1, 2002