[Effect of acupuncture on early embryos in poor ovarian response mice based on transcriptome sequencing].

Can Acupuncture Help Women Who Struggle to Respond to Fertility Treatments?

For women diagnosed with poor ovarian response (POR) — a condition where the ovaries produce fewer eggs than expected during IVF — acupuncture may offer a meaningful boost. A new study published in Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion explored whether a specific acupuncture technique could improve ovarian function and early embryo quality in mice with POR.

What Was Studied? Researchers used a specific needling technique connecting two acupuncture points — Zhibian (BL54) and Shuidao (ST28) — on mice that had been given a medication to simulate poor ovarian response. The acupuncture was performed daily for two weeks. Afterward, the mice underwent IVF, and the resulting embryos were analyzed using advanced genetic sequencing technology.

What Did They Find? Mice that received acupuncture showed significant improvements compared to untreated mice. Their hormone levels normalized — with key fertility markers like AMH and estradiol rising, while FSH and LH (hormones that are typically elevated in POR) fell. They produced more eggs, had healthier ovarian tissue, and showed better mitochondrial health in their cells — a sign of improved egg quality.

Perhaps most remarkably, the embryos from acupuncture-treated mice showed healthier gene activity. Five key genes associated with embryo development were restored toward normal levels. The researchers identified the Wnt signaling pathway — critical for cell development and organ formation — as a likely mechanism through which acupuncture produced these effects.

What Does This Mean for Patients? While this research was conducted in mice and further human studies are needed, the findings suggest that acupuncture targeting specific fertility-related points may support ovarian function and improve embryo quality in the context of IVF. This could potentially reduce risks of developmental issues in early embryos.

If you are considering acupuncture as part of your fertility journey, seek care from a licensed, qualified acupuncturist with experience in reproductive health.

This controlled animal study investigated the effects of BL54-to-ST28 transmeridian needling on poor ovarian response (POR) in C57BL/6 mice (n=30, divided into blank, model, and acupuncture groups, n=10 each). POR was induced via tripterygium glycosides gavage (50 mg/kg/day for 2 weeks). The acupuncture group received daily BL54-ST28 needling for 20 minutes over 2 weeks, followed by IVF-ET with embryo collection at day 7 post-implantation.

Acupuncture significantly improved oocyte yield, ovarian wet weight, and ovarian index (P<0.05–0.01). Serum AMH and E2 increased while FSH and LH decreased (P<0.01). Mitochondrial integrity improved on electron microscopy. Transcriptome sequencing of early embryos identified 194 reversible DEGs, with top reversed genes including Rasd1, Greb1, Lgr6, Fras1, and Apod — all confirmed via qRT-PCR. KEGG analysis implicated Wnt signaling pathway activation as a central mechanism. Clinically, this supports BL54-ST28 protocol as a potential adjunct in IVF protocols for POR patients, with implications for improving embryo quality and reducing developmental risk.