Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility
A group of infertile men who had pathological semen analyses, according to WHO criteria, were treated with acupuncture twice a week for five weeks. A statistically significant increase after acupuncture in the percentage and number of sperm with no structural defects was demonstrated compared to the control group of patients who received no treatment. They concluded that male infertility patients could benefit from having acupuncture. A general improvement of sperm quality, specifically in the ultrastructural integrity of spermatozoa, was seen after acupuncture.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultramorphologic sperm features of idiopathic infertile men after acupuncture therapy.
DESIGN: Prospective controlled study.
SETTING: Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, IVF center Munich, Germany, and Department of General Biology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
PATIENT(S): Forty men with idiopathic oligospermia, asthenospermia, or teratozoospermia.
NTERVENTION(S): 28 of the patients received acupuncture twice a week over a period of five weeks. The samples from the treatment group were randomized with semen samples from the 12 men in the untreated control group.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitative analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the samples, using the mathematical formula based on submicroscopic characteristics.
RESULT(S): Statistical evaluation of the TEM data showed a statistically significant increase after acupuncture in the percentage and number of sperm without ultrastructural defects in the total ejaculates. A statistically significant improvement was detected in acrosome position and shape, nuclear shape, axonemal pattern and shape, and accessory fibers of sperm organelles. However, specific sperm pathologies in the form of apoptosis, immaturity, and necrosis showed no statistically significant changes between the control and treatment groups before and after treatment.
CONCLUSION(S): The treatment of idiopathic male infertility could benefit from employing acupuncture. A general improvement of sperm quality, specifically in the ultrastructural integrity of spermatozoa, was seen after acupuncture, although we did not identify specific sperm pathologies that could be particularly sensitive to this therapy.
Author:
Pei J et al
Publication Date:
2005 July
Publisher:
Fertility and Sterility
Acupuncture and Moxa Help Semen Abnormalities
Effects of acupuncture and Moxa treatment in patients with semen abnormalities
In a prospective, controlled, and blind study, a group of infertile men (married for 3-11 years without children) were randomized into two groups: the treatment group receiving 10 acupuncture treatments and the control group receiving sham acupuncture treatments. The patients in the acupuncture group demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of normal forms compared to the control group.
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the effect of Chinese Traditional Medicine, acupuncture, and moxa treatment on the semen quality in patients with semen abnormalities.
Methods: In a prospective, controlled, and blind study, nineteen patients, aged 24-42 and married for 3-11 years without children with semen abnormalities in concentration, morphology, and/or progressive motility without apparent cause were randomized into two groups and submitted to acupuncture and moxa treatment at the therapeutic (study group) and the indifferent points (control group), respectively, for 10 weeks. Semen analyses were performed before and after the treatment course.
Results: The patients of the study group presented a significant increase in the percentage of normal-form sperm compared to the control group (calculated U=16.0, critical U=17.0).
Conclusion: The Chinese Traditional Medicine acupuncture and moxa techniques significantly increase the percentage of normal-form sperm in infertile patients with oligoastenoteratozoospermia without apparent cause.
Author:
Gurfinkel E et al
Publication Date:
2003 Dec
Publisher:
Asian Journal of Andrology
Quantitative evaluation of spermatozoa ultrastructure after acupuncture treatment for idiopathic male infertility
A group of infertile men who had pathological semen analyses, according to WHO criteria, were treated with acupuncture twice a week for five weeks. A statistically significant increase after acupuncture in the percentage and number of sperm with no structural defects was demonstrated compared to the control group of patients who received no treatment. They concluded that male infertility patients could benefit from having acupuncture. A general improvement of sperm quality, specifically in the ultrastructural integrity of spermatozoa, was seen after acupuncture.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the ultramorphologic sperm features of idiopathic infertile men after acupuncture therapy.
DESIGN: Prospective controlled study.
SETTING: Christian-Lauritzen-Institut, Ulm, IVF center Munich, Germany, and Department of General Biology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
PATIENT(S): Forty men with idiopathic oligospermia, asthenospermia, or teratozoospermia.
NTERVENTION(S): 28 of the patients received acupuncture twice a week over a period of five weeks. The samples from the treatment group were randomized with semen samples from the 12 men in the untreated control group.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Quantitative analysis by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to evaluate the samples, using the mathematical formula based on submicroscopic characteristics.
RESULT(S): Statistical evaluation of the TEM data showed a statistically significant increase after acupuncture in the percentage and number of sperm without ultrastructural defects in the total ejaculates. A statistically significant improvement was detected in acrosome position and shape, nuclear shape, axonemal pattern and shape, and accessory fibers of sperm organelles. However, specific sperm pathologies in the form of apoptosis, immaturity, and necrosis showed no statistically significant changes between the control and treatment groups before and after treatment.
CONCLUSION(S): The treatment of idiopathic male infertility could benefit from employing acupuncture. A general improvement of sperm quality, specifically in the ultrastructural integrity of spermatozoa, was seen after acupuncture, although we did not identify specific sperm pathologies that could be particularly sensitive to this therapy.
Author:
Pei J et al
Publication Date:
2005 July
Publisher:
Fertility and Sterility