Objective To observe the effect of acupuncture at “Sanyinjiao”(SP6) on sperm motility

testicular B cell lymphoma/leukelia-2(Bcl-2)

Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax)

and Caspase-3 in mice with oligoasthenospermia induced by microwave radiation

so as to explore its underlying mechanisms in improving oligoasthenospermia. Methods Male BALB/C mice were randomly divided into control

model and acupuncture groups(n=6 in each group). The oligoasthenospermia model was established by continuous microwave irradiation with frequency of 2 450 MHz and power density of 40 mW/cm

2

1 h daily for 18 days. At the same time

manual acupuncture was applied to the acupuncture group on bilateral “Sanyinjiao”(SP6) for 30 s

once daily for 18 days. Sperm motility including the percentages of progressive motility(PR)

non-progressive motility(NP)

and PR + NP sperms was detected by computer-assisted sperm analysis

H.E. staining was used to observe the testicular morphology and Johnson score was calculated

the expression levels of Bcl-2

Bax and Caspase-3 in testis were detected by immunofluorescence. Results Compared with the control group

the percentages of PR sperms

NP sperms

PR+NP sperms

Johnson score

and expression level of Bcl-2 were significantly decreased(P

<

0.05)

while the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were increased(P

<

0.05) in the model group. Compared with the model group

the percentages of PR sperms

PR+NP sperms

Johnson score

and expression level of Bcl-2 were significantly increased(P

<

0.05)

while the expression levels of Bax and Caspase-3 were decreased(P

<

0.05) in the acupuncture group. Outcomes of H.E. staining showed that the seminiferous tubules became thinner

spermatogenic cells and sperm decreased or even disappeared

and the supporting cells were partially missing in the model group

which was relatively milder in the acupuncture group. Conclusion Manual acupuncture at SP6 can improve sperm motility in oligoasthenospermia mice induced by microwave radiation

which may be related to its effects in down-regulating the expressions of Bax and Caspase-3

increasing expression of Bcl-2 in the testis.