Effect of electroacupuncture on egg quality and tumor necrosis factor -α of patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on egg quality of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) patients, and to explore its mechanism.MethodsTwo hundred patients who received in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were divided into an EA group (102 cases) and a control group (98 cases) according to random number table. All the patients in the two groups were given Diane-35 and gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for ovarian hyperstimulation. Besides, EA intervention was applied to Shènshù ( BL 23), Qìhăi ( GV 6), Zúsānl ( ST 36), Sānyīnjiāo ( SP 6), Nèiguān ( PC 6) and Zgōng ( EX-CAl), etc. in the EA group. Then egg quality, final outcome of pregnancy and levels of tumor necrosis factor-a (TNF-α) were compared between the two groups.Results(1) EA intervention significantly improved high quality embryo rate of PCOS patients (P<0.05), and clinical pregnancy rate was increased by 8.36%; (2) EA intervention significantly reduced the TNF-α levels of follicular fluid (13.61±15.46 vs 34.09±93.53, P<0.05); (3) TNF-α levels of serum and follicular fluid in the pregnancy group were lower than those of non-pregnancy group [pregnancy group: (53.91±63.32) pg/mL, (14.93±25.37) pg/mL, non-pregnancy group: (76.82±82.96) pg/mL, (25.04±35.79) pg/mL], and the differences were significant (both P<0.05).ConclusionEA improves egg quality of PCOS patients and increases the clinical pregnancy rate of IVF-ET, the mechanism may be related to TNF-α levels.