Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA) on ovarian reaction

egg and embryo quality

as well as pregnancy rate in poor ovarian response(POR) patients of kidney essence deficiency and undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET). Methods Ninety-six patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into an EA group and a control group

with 48 cases in each group. Before IVF-ET

the patients in the EA group received EA

once daily

2 or 3 treatments a week for 12 weeks. Before and after the treatment

traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndrome score and clinical pregnancy rate were assessed in two groups. The concentrations of serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)

luteinsing hormone

estradiol

progesterone and anti-mullerian hormone were detected by chemiluminescence; the contents of serum insulin-like growth factor-1

serum inhibin B(INHB) and Kisspeptin in follicular fluid were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA); the antral follicle counting(AFC) was detected by color Doppler ultrasonography; and the egg and embryo conditions were observed under microscope. Fourteen days after embryo transfer

the positive rate of serum hemchoriconic gonadotropin(HCG) and clinical pregnancy rate were calculated. Results After the treatment

the TCM syndrome score and level of serum FSH were reduced(P<0.05); the INHB in serum and AFC were increased(P<0.05) when compared with those before the treatment in the EA group. After the treatment

in comparison with the control group

the TCM syndrome score and level of serum FSH were lower(P<0.05); and the contents of serum INHB

AFC

the numbers of MⅡ eggs and high-quality embryos

as well as serum HCG positive rate were all increased(P<0.05) in the EA group. Conclusion EA can relieve the clinical symptoms of TCM in POR patients of kidney essence deficiency and undergoing IVF-ET

increase the ovarian reserve

reduce the serum FSH level

and improve the content of serum INHB

and the quality of eggs and embryos. This therapy tends to improve the clinical pregnancy rate and clinical pregnancy outcome.