This recent study highlights how acupuncture, specifically electro-acupuncture (EA), can reduce the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation in IVF patients. Despite some limitations, the findings are crucial for tailoring acupuncture protocols to each IVF patient’s needs.
Published in the Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine, the research by Hong YL and colleagues from the Department of Gynecology at Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine examined the effects of EA on clinical outcomes and the occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation.
The study involved 109 patients at a Reproductive Center, divided into a control group and an EA group based on their appointment dates. While the control group underwent standard ovarian stimulation protocols, the EA group received additional electro-acupuncture from the start of their Gn injection until the day of embryo transfer.
Key findings from the study include:
- Significantly lower estradiol levels on the day of ovum pick up (OPU) and embryo transfer (ET) in the EA group.
- Decreased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which are linked to the severity of OHSS, on key treatment days.
- A notable reduction in the occurrence of OHSS and the cancellation rate of the transplant cycle in the EA group.
These results suggest that electro-acupuncture could be a valuable adjunct therapy in IVF treatments, potentially reducing the risk of OHSS. This study underscores the importance of integrating traditional techniques like acupuncture with modern reproductive technologies, offering a holistic approach to fertility treatments.
[Effect of electro-acupuncture on clinical outcomes and ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome in in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation].
(PMID:25566616)
Hong YL, Tan Y, Yin YY, Zou YJ, Guo YH, Nie XW
Department of Gynecology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, China.
Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he za zhi Zhongguo Zhongxiyi Jiehe Zazhi = Chinese Journal of Integrated Traditional and Western Medicine / Zhongguo Zhong xi yi jie he xue Hui, Zhongguo Zhong yi yan jiu Yuan zhu ban [2014, 34(11):1292-1296]
OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on clinical outcomes and the occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation.
METHODS: Totally 109 patients who routinely received in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at Reproductive Center were assigned to the control group (56 cases) and the EA group (53 cases) according to even and odd-numbered date. Patients in the control group received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) referring to GnRH-a long protocol. On the basis of COH, those in the EA group received EA from the day of Gn injection to the day of embryo transfer. Estradiol (E2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and angiotensin (AT) II were measured in all patients on the day of hCG injection, the day of ovum pick up (OPU), and the day of embryo transfer (ET), respectively. The oocyte retrieval rate, good quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, the abortion rate, and the occurrence of OHSS were compared between the two groups.
RESULTS: Compared with the control group, serum E2 levels on the day of OPU and the day of ET were significantly lower in the EA group (P < 0.05). On the day of OPU levels of VEGF and IL-6 also significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Serum levels of VEGF and IL-6 reached the highest line on the day of hCG in the two groups, and then showed a decreasing trend. Compared with the control group at the same time point, serum levels of VEGF and IL-6 obviously decreased on on the day of OPU, hCG, and ET (P < 0.05). The occurrence of OHSS and the canceling rate of transplant cycle were significantly lower in the EA group than in the control group (P < 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: EA, as an adjunctive therapy, could reduce the occurrence of OHSS in IVF. Besides, it did not decrease good embryo rates and pregnancy rates in IVF-ET, which might be associated with lowering local vascular permeability of ovaries.