Die Beeinflußbarkeit der Samenqualität durch Akupunktur bei subfertilen Männern

Abstract

Our first attempt in treating subfertility by acupuncture was carried out on 28 males. The results obtained from the experiences in veterinary medicine encouraged us to attempt this type of therapy. Each patient received a total of 10 treatments for a period of three weeks. Several spermiograms were made after diagnosis subfertility. We checked spermiograms and hormone levels before and after acupuncture. Total count, concentration and motility were evaluated. In all cases we observed a statistically significant improvement of sperm quality. Having obtained these good results in our first studies, we now intend to continue acupuncture therapy in subfertile males for insemination or intercourse at the time of the ovulation of their female partners.

Effect of Acupuncture on Sperm Parameters of Males Suffering from Subfertility Related to Low Sperm Quality

“…Indeed, there are reports that approximately one-fifth of the males involved in fertility investigations consult fringe medicine, including acupuncture [ 1 51. Acupuncture, the ancient Chinese art of healing, is claimed to have a beneficial effect on some pathological conditions, including impaired sperm quality [6][7][8][9]12, 171. However, data on the possible positive effect of acupuncture treatment on semen parameters are largely uncontrolled and are mainly limited to sperm density and motility [6, 7, 9, 12, 171.…”

Electroacupuncture enhances spermatogenesis in rats after scrotal heat treatment

“…Thus, the improved basal cell proliferation in the present study may be partly mediated via EA-induced upregulation of FSH. Accumulating evidence suggest that acupuncture restored the lowered FSH to normal level in subfertile men 23 . However, whether EA played a similar role in the present study on regulation of FSH needs further investigations.…”

“…It was reported that heat treatment did not affect plasma and testicular testosterone concentrations, 25 although an increased in serum LH may drive the Leydig cells to produce enough testosterone to maintain normal spermatogenesis 48 , 49 . In line with this, both acupuncture and Chinese herbs were found to restore the reduced LH and testosterone concentrations in subfertile men and rats 23 , 50 …”

“…Accumulating evidence suggests that acupuncture may improve sperm count, 16 - 18 motility, 19 , 20 morphology, 21 ultra-structural integrity 22 and fertilization rate after ICSI 19 in subfertile men, partly by modulation of FSH, LH and testosterone levels 23 . Acupuncture has been postulated to increase antioxidant supply by vasodilation 21 and regulate immune defense and local inflammation 17 .…”

Review of acupuncture and female urology

“…The first published study on treatment of infertility by needle acupuncture was in 1984 by a German research group, inspired by its promising use in veterinary medicine. Fischl et al [41] compiled a case study of 28 subfertile males. Each patient received a total of 10 acupuncture treatments over three weeks.…”