Electroacupuncture enhances spermatogenesis in rats after scrotal heat treatment

Abstract

Spermatogenesis is regulated by a cascade of steroid regulated genes in the testis. Recent studies suggested that acupuncture may improve fertility in men with abnormal semen parameters. Yet, the underlying mechanisms in which acupuncture enhances spermatogenesis remain largely unknown. Here we used a scrotal heat-treated rat model to study the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) on recovery of spermatogenesis. In this model, spermatogenesis was disrupted by 30 min scrotal heat treatment at 43°C. Ten sessions of EA were given at Baihui (GV20), Guanyuan (CV4), Zusanli (ST36) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) from day 9 to day 36 post-treatment. Sperm motility and production, morphology of the germinal epithelium by Johnsen’s scoring, germ cell apoptosis by TUNEL staining, proliferation by proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) staining, as well as serum testosterone and inhibin B levels by immunoassays were evaluated on day 0, 1, 9, 25, 37, 46, 56 and 79. When compared with the heat-treated (H) group, the heat-treated plus EA (H+EA) group showed a significant increase (p < 0.05) in PCNA-positive cells and inhibin B levels on days 37 and 46, and a higher Johnsen’s score till day 56. On day 79, motile spermatozoa could be found in the vas deferens of H+EA group only. Consistently, there was a trend of improved motility and increased number of motile epididymal spermatozoa in the H+EA group than the H group; while apoptosis of germ cells and serum testosterone levels were similar between the two groups. Taken together, EA enhanced germ cell proliferation through improvement of Sertoli cell functions. This may facilitate the recovery of spermatogenesis and may restore normal semen parameters in subfertile patients.

Alleviating effect ofMallotus roxburghianusin heat-induced testicular dysfunction in Wistar rats

“…Apoptotic spermatocyte and chromatin condensation and fragmentation were observed at day 14 in rat testes during scrotal hyperthermia (Lue et al 2002;Kanter et al 2011). Only a few reports available till date regarding the PCNA expression on heat-induced testes injury in rats and the number of PCNA stained cells was decreased after heat treatment in HS group rats while the intensity of staining was increased after the administration of M. roxburghianus (400 mg/kg body weight) in HSM group rats (Fujisawa et al 1997;Kazusa et al 2004;Kanter et al 2011;Gao et al 2012). Testosterone level was decreased after scrotal hyperthermia that caused impairment of spermatogenesis, because testosterone is indispensable for spermatogenesis (Kanter et al 2011;Gao et al 2012).…”

Improving Testicular Blood Flow With Electroacupuncture-Like Percutaneous Nerve Stimulation in an Experimental Rat Model of Testicular Torsion

“…In addition, retrograde neuronal labeling studies revealed that the segmental sympathetic neurons of rat testicles are localized at the intermediolateral column of the spinal cord at levels T10 to L1 . The L4 dermatome (tibial nerve) territory was also used as a second dermatome on the basis of the effects of stimulating acupuncture point SP6 in studies of testicle and tibial nerve neurostimulation . For T13 stimulation, two needles were inserted obliquely 4–5 mm into the external oblique muscle and (presumably) the internal oblique muscle at 1 cm distance to the midsternal axis.…”

“…The electrostimulator cables alternate between anode and cathode during electrostimulation, so no one needle acted consistently as either an anode or cathode. Although we made careful attempts to localize the acupoints of rats as described in previous studies , the points we selected likely did not precisely correspond to the acupoints. For this reason, we named our electrostimulation technique “EA‐like PENS.” The electrostimulation intensity was sufficient to induce muscle twitches in the lower extremities.…”

The Effects of Acupuncture Treatment in Infertile Patients with Clinical Varicocele

“…This stimulation leads a somatovisceral reflex arc at posterior column medulla level that finally reaches to superior centers as cerebral cortex, thalamus, and reticular formation. In addition, it may qualify the testis and epididymis circulation by vasodilation (23)(24)(25). The other probable mechanism of acupuncture effect on sperm parameters is via reactive oxygen species (ROS) alteration in semen.…”