Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproductive technology.

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Zhang M et al J Huazhong Univ Sci Tech Med Sci.2002;22(3):228-30 Journal of Huazhong University (Abstract in Chinese)
This trial looks at sperm behaviour in an IVF setting. It was a “before and after” study involving 82 infertile men with pathological semen abnormalities and who’s sperm achieved a poor fertilization rate in at least 2 IVF/ICSI cycles. They were given acupuncture twice a week over 8 weeks and the IVF/ICSI cycles were repeated. The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2%) were significantly higher than that before treatment (40.2%) (P < 0.01).



 

Does acupuncture treatment affect sperm density in males with very low sperm count? A pilot study.

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Siterman S et al Andrologia. 2000 Jan;32(1):31-9. Andrologia
This pilot study once again showed a positive effect of acupuncture on sperm count - but this time on men with such low sperm counts (or no sperm) that they would usually require a testicular biopsy to extract sperm for use in an IVF cycle. Seven of the 15 men with no sperm at all produced sperm detectable by the light microscope after a course of 10 acupuncture treatments (p < 0.01) ie enough sperm could be produced for ICSI to be performed without recourse to testicular biopsy. The control group with similar semen analysis had no treatment and showed no change after 3 months.

   

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Effect of acupuncture on sperm parameters of males suffering from subfertility related to low sperm quality.

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Siterman S et al Arch Androl. 1997 Sep-Oct;39(2):155-61 Archives of Andrology
A group of infertile men with abnormal semen analysis were randomly divided into 2 groups; one group was given 10 acupuncture treatments over 5 weeks, and the other group, no treatment. Significant improvements (p < 0.05) were demonstrated in the acupuncture group compared to the control group, in particular improved motility and morphology.

    

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Correlation of psychological changes and spermiogram improvements following acupuncture (article in German)

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Riegler R et al Urologe A. 1984 Nov;23(6):329-33 Der Urologe
This German group were the first to publish studies on the affect of acupuncture on sperm parameters. In this study they not only not measured changes in semen analysis after acupuncture but also certain psychological parameters.

      

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