Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)treatment on the quality of ovum

stem cell factor(SCF)and the pregnancy outcome in patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS)

so as to explore its mechanism underlying improving pregnancy rate.Methods A total of 200 PCOS patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transplantation(IVF-ET)were randomly divided into control(medication)group(n=98)and EA group(n=102).For patients of the EA group who were undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation

EA stimulation(5Hz/20 Hz

15-20V)was applied to bilateral Shenshu(BL 23)

Qihai(CV 6)

bilateral Zusanli(ST 36)-Sanyinjiao(SP 6)

and bilateral Neiguan(PC 6)-Zigong(EX-CA 1)for30min

once daily till accepting embryo transplant.Patients of the medication group were treated with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using Diane-35

Decepepty

Gonadotrophin

human Chorionic Gonadotrophin

etc.Serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)

luteinizing hormone(LH)

testosterone(T)

estradiol(E2)

and progesterone(P)contents were detected using chemiluminescent method.SCF contents in the serum and follicular fluid were assayed by ELISA.The number of retrieved oocytes

fertilization rate

cleavage rate

high quality embryo rate

ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome(OHSS)incidence rate

cycle cancellation rate

cli-nical pregnancy rate

early abortion rate

Gn dosage and administration duration

and the correlation between the high quality embryo rate and SCF level were determined.Results Comparison between the two groups showed that the high quality embryo rate

and serum and follicular fluid SCF contents were significantly higher in the EA group than in the medication group(P<0.05

P<0.01)

while the dosage and administration duration of Gn were significantly lower in the EA group than in the medication group(P<0.05).A positive correlation was found between the high quality embryo rate and the SCF level in both follicular fluid and serum(P<0.01).No significant differences were found between the two groups in the number of retrieved oocytes

fertilization rate

cleavage rate

clinical pregnancy rate

OHSS incidence rate

cycle cancellation rate

early abortion rate

serum LH

E2 and P contents(P>0.05).Conclusion EA can improve the high quality embryo rate

which may be related to its effect in increasing serum and follicular fluid SCF levels.