printThe clinical effects of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in sperm parameter and on therapeutic results in assisted reproductive technology were investigated. 22 patients failed in intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with idiopathic male infertility were treated with acupuncture twice weekly for eight weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertlization rates and embryo quality were observed. Quick sperm motility after acupuncture (18.3% +/- 9.6%) was significantly improved as compared with that before treatment (11.0% +/- 7.5%, P< 0.01). The normal sperm ratio was increased after acupuncture (21.1% +/- 10.4% vs 16.2% +/- 8.2%, P< 0.05). The fertilization rates after acupuncture (66.2%) were obviously higher than that before treament (40.2%, P < 0.01). The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved. Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted technology.
Source: "Influence of acupuncture on idiopathic male infertility in assisted reproduction therapy." Dr. M. Zhang et al. J Huazhong Univ SCI Technology Med SCI 2002; 22(3):228-30.
