Experimental Study On The Effect Of Acupuncture On Genital-Endocrine Function In Females

Objective: To discuss the effect of acupuncture on genital- endocrine function in normal healthy females during reproductive life.Methods: Among 60 female volunteers at the age of 22-35y, 28 cases with regular menstrual cycle, whose basic body temperature were characterized as typical ovulation, were selected. Self-contrast method was adopted. After acupuncture on unilateral Shimen (KN5), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and bilateral auricular "G4" region, the effect of acupuncture on peripheral serum (1) Pituitary gonadotrophin: follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), Luteinizing hormone (LH); (2) Ovarian sex hormone: estradiol (E2), testosterone (T) and progesterone (P) levels were observed respectively.Results: No significant effect of acupuncture showed on the excretion of Pituitary gonadotrophin (FSH and LH) , but the significant inhibition effect showed on the excretion of ovarian sex hormone ( E2, T and P) . The action mechanism is waiting for further observation.Conclusion: Acupuncture therapy had regulation effect on genital-endocrine function in females. The experimental study in animals at early days indicated as follows:Experiment 1: The effect of acupuncture therapy on serum FSH, LH, E2 and T levels in female rhesus during menstrual cycle. Acupuncture on Shimen (RN5), Sanyinjiao (SP6) and auricular "G4 " region showed apparent inhibition effect, especially on the formation of peak wave of the hormones, demonstrating the interference effect on normal ovulation procedure.Experiment 2: The effect of acupuncture therapy at different acupoints in female rhesus. The result indicated that either body points or auricular points had inhibitory effect on the excretion of serum FSH, LH, E2 and T, but the effect of body points was superior to that of auricular points. The effect was strengthened when body points were selected combined withauricular points, demonstrating the relative specificity of acupoints. And the therapeutic effect of acupoints was enhanced.Experiment 3: The effect of acupuncture therapy in different time on genital- endocrine (unction in female rhesus. The result showed as follows: (1) The effective opportunity of inhibition by acupuncture on the excretion of FSH, LH,E2 and Tought to be during follicular phase of menstrual cycle. (2) The best time of inhibitory effect by acupuncture on the excretion of FSH, LH and T ought to be in the morning, but the effect on E2 ought to be in the evening. (3) The effective period of inhibitory effect by acupuncture was about 24 hours. (4) The inhibitory effect of acupuncture was related to the function of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovary axis and adrenal cortex. The study demonstrated the best manipulation time of acupuncture and the new application on study methods of traditional birth control.