Effect of electroacupuncture on oocyte quality and pregnancy of patients with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

ObjectiveTo observe the impacts of electroacupuncture (EA) on oocyte quality and pregnant outcome for the patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) and explore its potential mechanism.MethodsSixty-six patients with PCOS and undergoing IVF-ET were divided into two groups randomly, including an observation group (34 cases) and a control group (32 cases). Ethinylestradiol and cyproterone acetate tablets and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist were administered for long-program superovulation in either group. In the observation group, the intervention of EA was applied to Guānyuán ( CV 4), Zhōngjí ( CV 3), Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6), Zîgōng ( EX-CA 1) and Tàixi ( Kl 3) additionally for 30 min, once daily, 1 menstrual cycle before controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and during COH. The pregnant outcome, evaluation of kidney deficiency syndrome, blood hormone level on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection and the concentrations of stem cell factor (SCF) in the serum and follicular fluid on the day of oocyte collection were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe score of kidney deficiency symptoms was reduced remarkably after treatment in either group and the improvement in the observation group was superior to that in the control group (P<0.01). The fertilization rate [(76.25 ± 20.33)% vs (66.34 ± 15.44)%], cleavage rate [(98.66 ± 3.70)% vs (94.47 ± 9.45)%] and the rate of high-quality embryos [(60.20 ± 22.20)% vs (50.55 ± 16.15)%] in the observation group were all superior to those in the control group separately (all P<0.05). Clinical pregnancy rate (46.67%, 14/30) in the observation group was higher than that (37.93%, 11/29) in the control group, but without statistical difference (P>0.05). SCF concentrations in the serum and follicular fluid on the day of oocyte collection in the observation group were higher obviously than those in the control group (both P<0.05).ConclusionElectroacupuncture plays an active role in the pregnant outcomes of PCOS patients undergoing IVF-ET and it can relieve the symptoms of kidney deficiency in terms of TCM and improve clinical pregnant rate. The mechanism is relevant to the overall adjustment of organic endocrinal system and the local micro-environment of ovary and the improvement of oocyte quality through the up-regulation of SCF concentration.