[Effects of electroacupuncture intervention on changes of quality of ovum and pregnancy out- come in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome].

Objective: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) treatment on the quality of ovum, stem cell factor(SCF) and the pregnancy outcome in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), so as to explore its mechanism underlying improving pregnancy rate.

Methods: A total of 200 PCOS patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation (IVF-ET) were randomly divided into control (medication) group (n = 98) and EA group (n = 102). For patients of the EA group who were undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, EA stimulation (5 Hz/20 Hz, 15-20 V) was applied to bilateral Shenshu (BL 23), Qihai (CV6), bilateral Zusanli (ST 36)-Sanyinjiao (SP 6), and bilateral Neiguan (PC6)-Zigong (EX-CA 1) for 30 min, once daily till accepting embryo transplant. Patients of the medication group were treated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using Diane-35, Decepepty, Gonadotrophin, human Chorionic Gonadotrophin, etc. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2, and progesterone (P) contents were detected using chemiluminescent method. SCF contents in the serum and follicular fluid were assayed by ELISA. The number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, high quality embryo rate, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) incidence rate, cycle cancellation rate, clinical pregnancy rate, early abortion rate, Gn dosage and administration duration, and the correlation between the high quality embryo rate and SOF level were determined.

Results: Comparison between the two groups showed that the high quality embryo rate, and serum and follicular fluid SCF contents were significantly higher in the EA group than in the medication group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), while the dosage and administration duration of Gn were significantly lower in the EA group than in the medication group (P < 0.05). A positive correlation was found between the high quality embryo rate and the SCF level in both follicular fluid and serum (P < 0.01). No significant differences were found between the two groups in the number of retrieved oocytes, fertilization rate, cleavage rate, clinical pregnancy rate, OHSS incidence rate, cycle cancellation rate, early abortion rate, serum LH, E2 and P contents (P > 0.05).

Conclusion: EA can improve the high quality embryo rate, which may be related to its effect in increasing serum and follicular fluid SCF levels.