Evidence-Based Application of Acupuncture in Theriogenology

Holyoak GR, Ma A · Veterinary Sciences · 2022 January 28

DOI 10.3390/vetsci9020053

Objective

To investigate the use of veterinary acupuncture, including dry needle, electroacupuncture, aquapuncture, and laserpuncture, in theriogenology and its effects on reproductive organs, reproductive disorders, surgical pain, and maternal lactation.

Conclusions

The review concludes that acupuncture has been shown to be effective in many situations for treating infertility and reproductive tract dysfunction, with improvements in both female and male patients.

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Insights

Acupuncture may improve fertility and reproductive health in male and female animals by influencing reproductive hormones, organs, surgical pain, and lactation.

This review searched published veterinary literature on acupuncture in animal reproduction, covering needle acupuncture, electrical stimulation through needles, injection at acupuncture points, and limited laser-based acupuncture. It examined proposed effects on brain hormone-regulating centres, the reproductive hormonal system, ovaries, testes, uterus, pain after reproductive surgery, and maternal milk production. Across the reviewed reports, acupuncture was associated with improved outcomes for infertility and reproductive tract dysfunction in both female and male animals. The evidence suggests that its reproductive benefits may involve hormonal regulation, direct effects on reproductive organs, pain relief following surgery, and support for lactation.