Lu Fuer

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

SummaryThe 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 8 weeks, followed by ICSI treatment again. The sperm concentration, motility, morphology, fertilization 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 treatment (40.2%,P<0.01). There was no significant difference in sperm concentration and general sperm motility between before and after acupuncture. The embryo quality after acupuncture was improved, but the difference between them was not significant (P>0.05). Acupuncture can improve sperm quality and fertilization rates in assisted reproductive technology.

Spermicidal effect of jieze No. 1 in combination with nonoxynol-9In vitro

SummarySpermicidal effect of Jieze No. 1 (JZ1) in combination with nonoxynol-9 (N-9) was examinedin vitro. The minimum spermicidal concentration of JZ1 decoction, N-9 and their mixture solution in 20 s and 3 min were examined by improved spermicidal test of Sander-cramerin vitro. The percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa and viable spermatozoa were also observed 20 s, 3 min and 30 min after the addition of the liquid medicine. Our results showed that sperms did not recover their activities in a revival test when the minimum spermicidal concentration of either JZ1 decoction, or N-9, or the mixed solution of the two agents, was used. N-9 (JZ1 in the mixed group) showed significant differences in the percentages of progressively moving spermatozoa, moving spermatozoa, and visible spermatozoa in 20 s, 3 min, and 30 min, when compared with N-9 alone (P<0.01). We are led to conclude that JZ1 decoction can improve N-9 spermicidal actionin vitro, and when used in combination with N-9, it has synergic effect.

Effects of Portulaca oleracea on insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Objective: To study the effects of Portulaca oleracea, a Chinese medicinal herb, on insulin resistance in rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods: Experimental model of T2DM was established by injection of streptozotocin (25mg/kg) and feeding with high calorie forage. The effects of Portulaca oleracea on oral glucose tolerance, serum levels of insulin, triglyceride, total cholesterol, highdensity lipoproteins-cholesterol and free fatty acids, and insulin sensitivity index were all observed.Results: Portulaca oleracea could reduce the body weight, improve the impaired glucose tolerance and lipid metabolism, decrease serum free fatty acids, attenuate hyperinsulinemia and elevate insulin sensitivity.Conclusion: Portulaca oleracea could improve insulin resistance in rats with T2DM, and the mechanism might be related to its actions in improving lipid metabolism and decreasing free fatty acids.

Effects of Jiantaiye on estrogen receptor and mRNA expressions in uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.

Objective: To explore the effect of Jiantaiye (JTY) on the expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and ER mRNA in uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.Methods: Embryo implantation dysfunction mouse models were induced with mifepristone and treated with JTY. All animals were sacrificed on day 8 of pregnancy. The endometrial ER and ER mRNA expressions were assessed by immunno-histochemical SP method and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results: Area ratio and absorbency of ER in the JTY treated group’s gland and stroma were higher than those of the model group, quite similar to those of the normal control’s, and ER mRNA expression in treated group’s uterus was significantly higher than that in the models, but it was not significantly different from the normal control.Conclusion: JTY improves the endometrial development by increasing ER and ER mRNA expressions of uterus of mice with embryo implantation dysfunction.

Effect of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe on pinopodes expression on endometrial surface in embryo implantation dysfunctional mice

Objective: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of Bushen Yiqi Hexue recipe (BYHR), and observe its effect on pinopodes expression on endometrial surface in mifepristone induced embryo implantation dysfunctional mice.Methods: Pregnant Kunming mice were randomly divided into the normal group, the control group and the treated group. Mice in the treated group were administered with BYHR, and those in the normal group and the control group were administered with normal saline, starting from the very first day of pregnancy (Pd1). On the Pd4, mifepristone (RU486) was subcutaneously injected into mice in the control group and the treated group. Pinopodes expression on endometrial surface at 09:30–10:00 pm on Pd4 (regarded as time point 1, T1) and at 09:30–10:00 am on Pd5 (as time point 2, T2) was determined by scanning electron microscopy. Pregnancy rate and average implanted embryos were observed on Pd7.Results: Pregnancy rate and average implanted embryos in the control group were obviously lower than those in the normal group (allP<0.01), while the two parameters were significantly higher in the treated group (P<0.05,P<0.01, respectively) than those in the control group. In the normal group, abundant developing pinopodes were distributed over the whole endometrial surface in T1, and they were altered to a great deal of fully developed pinopodes in T2. But in the control group, only a few pinopodes were expressed locally on endometrial surface in T1, showing a nonsynchronous figure of development, and they completely disappeared in T2. In the treated group, a lot of developing pinopodes were expressed like those in the normal group but somewhat lagged behind, whereas many fully developed pinopodes were expressed in T2.Conclusion: The decrease of the pinopodes in Tl and the cleaning up of them in T2 is possibly the partial mechanism of mifepristone in inducing embryo implantation dysfunction. It is indicated that BYHR could improve pinopodes expression on endometrial surface, eventually better the uterine receptivity and improve the embryo implantation.