Objective: To observe the clinical effect of warm acupuncture on endometrial cavity fluid (ECF) from in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and to explore the mechanism of warm acupuncture on ECF.
Methods: Twenty-nine patients who were prepared for IVF-ET from 2016 to 2019 and whose transplantation was cancelled due to ECF found by vaginal B-ultrasound examination were divided into an observation group (14 cases) and a control group (15 cases) according to random number table method. The warm acupuncture was applied at Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Guilai (ST 29), Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6) after the end of menstruation in the observation group, the treatment lasted for 60 min, once a day, 5 times as a course, with 2 days interval between the courses and 3 consecutive courses of treatment were given, until the embryo transfer was performed in the IVF assisted pregnancy cycle. After the end of menstruation, fresh leonurus japonicus capsule was given in the control group, 3 times a day, 0.8 g each time, 7 days as a course, and 3 courses of continuous treatment were received, until the embryo transfer was performed in the IVF assisted pregnancy cycle. The changes of ECF before and after treatment, the time required to prepare for embryo transfer during IVF assisted pregnancy cycle, and the clinical outcome of embryo transfer were observed in the two groups.
Results: The decrease of ECF in the observation group was more significant than that in the control group (P<0.05). The time required for the embryo transfer in the IVF assisted pregnancy cycle in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.05). The clinical pregnancy rate in the observation group was 42.9% (6/14), which was significantly higher than 26.7% (4/15) in the control group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Warm acupuncture may improve the clinical pregnancy rate by raising the local temperature of the lower abdomen, accelerating the blood circulation around the uterus and appendages, promoting the absorption of ECF, improving the uterine environment and endometrial receptivity.
Keywords: clinical pregnancy outcome; endometrial cavity fluid; in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer; warm acupuncture.