Research

MALE FERTILITY

In a study involving 40 men with sperm problems of unknown origin, (oligospermia, asthenospermia, or teratozoospermia) acupuncture was used on 28 of the men twice a week for 5 weeks and compared to the 12 men who received no treatment.

FINDINGS: Following acupuncture, a statistically significant increase in the percentage and number of sperm in the total ejaculate was observed (in comparison with controls), with improvements in the shape of the acrosome and nucleus. The median percentage of progressive motility in ejaculate increased from 44.5% to 55% following acupuncture treatment. No change in specific pathologies, such as apoptosis (cell death), necrosis (dead or motionless spermatozoa) or sperm immaturity, however, was apparent.

The authors concluded that "In conjunction with ART or even for reaching natural fertility potential, acupuncture treatment is a simple, non-invasive method that can improve sperm quality.  (Fertility and Sterility. 2005;84:141-147)

Sperm motility

The first prospective, randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effectiveness of acupuncture in infertile men with severe oligoasthenozoospermia has shown that acupuncture can improve sperm motility. The German study, involving 29 men compared Traditional Chinese Medicine acupuncture with placebo acupuncture. A significantly higher percentage of motile sperm was found after real acupuncture. (Fertility and Sterility. 2009, April 24)

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