Effects and mechanism of action of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation in patients with abnormal semen parameters
https://doi.org/10.1136/acupmed-2017-011365
Article Information
Volume: 37 issue: 1, page(s): 25-32
Article first published online: April 3, 2019; Issue published: February 1, 2019
Yan Yu1, Shu-Bin Sha1, Bin Zhang1, Qun Guan1, Ming Liang1, Lu-Gang Zhao2, Qi-Yao Zhang1, Ji Wen1, Wei Sun1
1Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, People’s Republic of China
2Reproductive Medicine Research Centre, 6th Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People’s Republic of China
YY and S-BS contributed equally.
Corresponding Author:
Yan Yu, Reproductive Medical Center, The Second Hospital affiliated to Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan 250001, People’s Republic of China. Emails: xgd1020@163.com; wj8197@126.com; sunwei996@126.com
Abstract
Objective:
To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture point stimulation (TEAS) on sperm parameters and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
Methods:
A total of 121 patients diagnosed with oligozoospermia, asthenozoospermia or oligoasthenozoospermia were randomised into four groups (three treatment groups, one control): the TEAS groups were treated with 2 Hz (n=31), 100 Hz (n=31), or mock stimulation (n=29) at acupuncture points BL23, ST36, CV1 and CV4 for 2 months. The control group (n=30) was provided with lifestyle advice only.
Results
The changes in total sperm count and motility in the 2 Hz TEAS group were significantly greater than those in the mock group and the control group. The change in neutral α-glucosidase (NAG) and zinc levels in the 2 Hz group were significantly greater than those in the mock group and control group, and the changes in fructose levels of the 2 Hz group were significantly greater than those in the control group. Significant increases in calcium and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) and reduction of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 b (CDK1) were also found after 2 Hz TEAS treatment.
Conclusions
The present findings suggest that 2 Hz TEAS can improve sperm count and motility in patients with abnormal semen parameters, and is associated with increases in seminal plasma zinc, NAG and fructose. The upregulation of CIB1 and downregulation of CDK1 by TEAS may be associated with its positive effects on sperm motility and count.