Electroacupuncture significantly improved pregnancy outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome via enhancing mitochondrial function of granulosa cells.
In this randomized controlled trial, there were 90 infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome and phlegm-dampness syndrome, enrolled between August and December of 2022. These participants were split into two groups: a control group that received pseudo-acupuncture and an electroacupuncture group, with both groups undertaking an ovarian stimulation protocol. The electroacupuncture group received therapy at multiple acupuncture points twice a week for a set of six sessions right after cessation of menstruation in the cycle prior to oocyte retrieval.
The results revealed that, compared to the control group, the electroacupuncture group demonstrated a higher rate of successful pregnancies. In terms of quality, the embryos in the electroacupuncture group were of better quality, as was the fresh embryo transfer rate. There were no observed instances of ectopic pregnancies in either group, with no significant differences in other pregnancy-related indicators like fresh clinical pregnancy rate or early pregnancy loss rate. In relation to granulosa cells, the electroacupuncture group showed lower levels of specific mRNA expression along with a higher mitochondrial autophagy and mitochondrial membrane potential, leading to the suggestion that electroacupuncture contributes to the improved quality of the oocyte.
