Increased Oocyte Production after Acupuncture Treatment during Superovulation Process in Mice

Objective To investigate whether acupuncture treatment during superovulation process improves ovarian response and increases egg production. Methods ICR female mice aged 12-15 weeks were divided into control group, anaesthesia group and acupuncture group. Female mice were injected intraperitoneally with pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin (PMSG), followed by human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection 56 h later. Anaesthesia group and acupuncture group were anaesthetized three times by injecting 10% nembutal solution according to 7.5-10.0 μl/g weight. Acupuncture group was treated three times with puncture Sanyinjiao Points(SP6) under anaesthesia. After 17 h of hCG injection, eggs were recovered and ovaries were isolated. Matured eggs were counted, ovarian histology and expression of follicle stimulating hormone receptor(FSH-R) in ovary were analyzed.Results Acupuncture treatment statistically increased the number of ovulated eggs. Histological section showed that some matured follicles left in the ovaries of control and anaesthesia groups after ovulation. On the contrary, all matured follicles ruptured and converted into corpus lutea in Acupuncture group. Expression of FSH-R in ovary was decreased in acupuncture group compared with those of the two others.Conclusion Acupuncture treatment during superovulation process improves ovarianresponse so as to increase egg production. The positive effect of acupuncture may beassociated with regulated FSH-R expression.