[Experimental Study for the Treatment of Asthenozoospermia by Electroacupuncture in Rats].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the effects of different electroacupuncture (EA) parameters for the treatment of asthenozoospermia in rats.

METHODS:

One hundred and five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 Hz-EA treatment daily in 3 d group (n=9), sham-EA group (n=10), model group (n=10); 2 Hz-EA treatment every other day in 5 d group, sham-EA group, model group (8 rats in each group); 2 Hz-EA treatment every other day in 9 d group, sham-EA group, model group (10 rats in each group); 100 Hz-EA treatment every other day in 9 d group (n=7), sham-EA group (n=8), model group (n=7). Asthenozoospermia model was established by intragastric administration of ornidazole (ORN,400 mg·kg-1·d-1) once daily till the end of treatment. EA treatments (2 Hz or 100 Hz) were applied to "Shenshu" (BL 23,bilateral), "Zusanli" (ST 36, bilateral) for 30 min, intensity of 1-2-3 mA (increasing 1 mA per 10 min), once a day or once every other day for 3 times or 5 times. Sham-EA groups were treated with similar procedure except that the output leads of the stimulator were disconnected. The sperm density, viability, motility, the number of grade A sperm, and grade A+B sperm were examined by computer-assisted sperm analysis.

RESULTS:

(1) 2 Hz-EA treatment daily in 3 d:compared with the model group and the sham-EA group, 2 Hz-EA treatment once daily had no significant effect on all of the sperm motility indexes in the asthenozoospermic rats (P>0.05). (2) 2 Hz-EA treatment every other day in 5 d:compared with the model group, EA treatment could increase the sperm motility (P<0.05), the number of grade A sperm (P<0.05), and the number of grade A+B sperm (P<0.05) in the asthenozoospermic rats. However, compared with the sham-EA group, EA treatment could only improve the number of grade A+B sperm (P<0.05). (3) 2 Hz-EA treatment every other day in 9 d:compared with both the model group and the sham-EA group, EA treatment could markedly improve the sperm viability (P<0.001), the sperm motility (P<0.001), the number of grade A sperm (P<0.001), and the number of grade A+B sperm (P<0.001) in the asthenozoospermic rats. (4) 100 Hz-EA treatment every other day in 9 days:compared with both the model group and the sham-EA group, all of the sperm indexes in the asthenozoospermic rats including the sperm viability (P<0.001 vs. the model group, P<0.05 vs. the sham-EA group), the sperm motility (P<0.001 vs. the model group, P<0.01 vs. the sham-EA group), the number of grade A sperm (P<0.01) and the number of grade A+B sperm (P<0.01) also could be improved after EA treatment. Unexpectedly,none of the EA treatment had significant influence on the sperm density in the asthenozoospermic rats.

CONCLUSIONS:

Both 2 Hz-EA and 100 Hz-EA treatment once every other day for 5 times in 9 d had a therapeutic effect on asthenozoospermia by improving the sperm viability and the sperm motility in the rats.

• Authors: Zi-Run Jin, Bo-Heng Liu, Jie Cai, Xiang-Hong Jing, Bing Zhu, Guo-Gang Xing
• Journal: Zhen ci yan jiu = Acupuncture research (Zhen Ci Yan Jiu) Vol. 42 Issue 2 Pg. 114-8 (Apr 25 2017) ISSN: 1000-0607 [Print] China
• PMID: 29071957 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Acupuncture Points
• Animals
• Asthenozoospermia (physiopathology, therapy)
• Electroacupuncture
• Humans
• Male
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley
• Sperm Count
• Spermatozoa (cytology)