Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture stimulation of acupoints of the Conception Vessel

Kidney Meridian

Spleen Meridian

and Bladder Meridian on menstrual cycles and duration

and serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)

luteinizing hormone(LH)and estrogen 2(E2)levels in patients with diminished ovarian reserve(DOR).Methods A total of 96 patients with DOR of both yin and yang deficiency were randomly divided into medication group and acupuncture group(n=48cases in each group).Patients of the medication group were treated by Estradiol Valerate tablets

2mg/d on the first 10 days

and Estradiol Cyproterone

3mg/d from day 11 to 21

followed by 5-7days' rest

and the next therapeutic course

continuously for 6months.For patients of the acupuncture group

filiform acupuncture needles were separately inserted into every 5points of the Conceptional Vessel

Kidney

Spleen and Bladder Meridians

manipulated with uniform reinforcing and reducing methods till Deqi

and retained for 40 min.The treatment was conducted once daily for consecutive 10 days in one menstrual cycle

beginning from the 10 th day on after menstruation

which was repeated for 6months.The integrative scores(normal=0

mild=2

moderate=4and severe=6points)of menstrual cycle

menstrual duration

amount

color

quality[blood blot or amenia

symptoms of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)]were assessed according to"Guiding Principles for Clinical Trials of New Drugs of Chinese Materia Medica".Serum FSH

LH and E2 contents were detected by Roche's electrochemical luminescence method.Results After the treatment

of the two 48 cases in the medication and acupuncture groups

12(25.0%)and 20(41.7%)were cured

11(22.9%)and 12(25.0%)experienced marked improvement in their symptoms

20(41.7%)and 10(20.8%)were effective

and 5(10.4%)and 6(12.5%)failed

with the effective rate being 89.6% and 87.5%

respectively.The integral score of TCM symptoms

menstrual cycle

serum FSH

LH and E2 contents were considerably diminished in both groups after 6months of treatment(P<0.05)

and the TCM symptom score

menstrual cycle

and serum FSH

LH and E2 levels were significantly lower in the acupuncture group than in the medication group 6months after cease of the treatment(P<0.05)

while the menstrual duration in each cycle was notably longer in both groups after the treatment

and evidently longer in the acupuncture group than in the medication group 6months after cease of the treatment(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between the two groups in the effective rate

score of TCM symptoms

menstrual cycle and duration

and serum FSH

LH and E2 contents following the treatment(P>0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture stimulation of acupoints of the Conception Vessel

Kidney

Spleen

and Bladder Meridians is effective in improving clinical symptoms of DOR patients with deficiency of both yin and yang

and has a longer effect

which may be closely associated with its functions in lowering serum FSH

LH and E2 levels through regulating the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis.