Effect of
acupuncture on sperm density in males with very low sperm count
Siterman S,
Eltes F, Wolfson V, Lederman H, Bartoov B.
Classic therapies are usually ineffective in the treatment of patients
with very poor sperm density. The aim of this study was to determine
the effect of acupuncture on these males. Semen samples of 20 patients
with a history of azoospermia were examined by light microscope
(LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), with which a microsearch
for spermatozoa was carried out. These examinations were performed
before and 1 month after acupuncture treatment and revealed that
the study group originally contained three severely oligoteratoasthenozoospermic
(OTA), two pseudoazoospermic and 15 azoospermic patients. The control
group was comprised of 20 untreated males who underwent two semen
examinations within a period of 2-4 months and had initial andrological
profiles similar to those of the experimental group. No changes
in any of the parameters examined were observed in the control group.
There was a marked but not significant improvement in the sperm
counts of severely OTA males following acupuncture treatment (average
= 0.7 +/- 1.1 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate before treatment
vs. 4.3 +/- 3.2 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate after treatment).
A definite increase in sperm count was detected in the ejaculates
of 10 (67%) of the 15 azoospermic patients. Seven of these males
exhibited post-treatment spermatozoa that were detected even by
LM. The sperm production of these seven males increased significantly,
from 0 to an average of 1.5 +/- 2.4 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate
(Z = -2.8, P < or = 0.01). Males with genital tract inflammation
exhibited the most remarkable improvement in sperm density (on average
from 0.3 +/- 0.6 x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate to 3.3 +/- 3.2
x 10(6) spermatozoa per ejaculate; Z = -2.4, P < or = 0.02).
Two pregnancies were achieved by the IVF-ICSI procedure. It is concluded
that acupuncture may be a useful, nontraumatic treatment for males
with very poor sperm density, especially those with a history of
genital tract inflammation.
Andrologia
2000 Jan;32(1):31-9
