Rozelle Health Centre - Male Infertility Trials
 

1) Study one

In 2006 Jann Mehmet completed a pragmatic randomised single blind controlled pilot study on sub fertile men, as part of her Master in Science (by thesis) degree at the University of Technology Sydney. The results were statistically significant.

Objective
To compare the effectiveness of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatment on the semen parameters morphology, motility and count to no treatment at all.

Participants
Twenty-eight sub fertile men agreed to participate in the study and were randomly allocated into the control or treatment groups. In addition, the participants completed a medical history questionnaire and were examined using Chinese medicine diagnosis.

Measurement
A semen analysis by 'Strict criteria' measured the sperm morphology, motility and count of the treatment and control groups.

Results
Changes in semen parameters in the treatment and control groups before and after the treatment and control period were compared and analysed using analysis of Variance (ANOVA), (SPSS). Statistically significant increases were observed for morphology, p<0.04 and motility, p<0.008. The mean increase in count for the group who received Chinese medicine formulas designed to supplement count was 220 million.

Participant's comments on the post trial feed back form:
 

"The treatment so far has helped to relieve some of the problems I have had for many years."

"Was especially happy with the depth of information provided by Jann regarding the direction and purpose of the trial-it made me feel that I was part of something important."

"Thanks very much for seeing me through the treatments and explaining things in a layman's term regarding my health. Thanks for going to the root of the problem rather than just touching the surface."

"Extremely satisfied with the trial. I did feel that there was a general improvement in my well-being. I felt the practitioner acted in a completely professional manner and was extremely knowledgeable on the topics at hand."

"I think it has been a very worthwhile exercise and the correlation between fertility/health and lifestyle personally relevant. Good luck Jann and spread the word. Many thanks for your generous treatments and herbs."

2) Three clinical trials using acupuncture on sub fertile and infertile men
 
     A) Siterman et al., 2000
 

Design
  • Prospective control study
  • 40 men who experienced poor fertilisation rates using ICSI because of low counts or azoospermia were divided into the control and experimental groups " Semen samples were analysed before and after intervention
  • The experimental group received 10 acupuncture treatments over 5 weeks
  • The control group received no treatment and no placebo
  • The experimental (treatment group) achieved a statistically higher fertilisation rate after intervention than the control or non- treatment group. P <0.02
     B) Siterman et al;, 1997
 

Design
  • Prospective control study
  • 32 participants were matched based on history of varicocele,; history of prostatitis; low sperm count; poor motility; and poor morphology.
  • Experimental group received 2 acupuncture treatments a week for 5 weeks
  • The control group received no treatment and no placebo
  • Promising results were shown with significant improvements being measured in three basic semen parameters; sperm viability (p<0.02); motility (p<0/02); and the mean total functional sperm fraction (TFSF) (p<.004); which includes sperm count, motility and morphology.
     C) Pei et al., 205
 

Design
  • Prospective study
  • 40 who were severely sub fertile, with low fertilisation rates with ICSI
  • 28 men were in the treatment group and 12 men in the control
  • The treatment group received 2 acupuncture treatments per week for five weeks
  • The control group received no acupuncture treatments
  • The results showed a statistically significant improvement in count (p<0/02) and several morphology indices: acrosome positioning(p<0.01); acrosome shape(p<0.001); nucleus shape (p<001).
3) Meta Analysis of the use of acupuncture and IVF during embryo transfers
 
  • Effects of acupuncture on rates of pregnancy and live birth among women undergoing invitro fertilisation (IVF). Systematic review and meta-analysis. Manheimer et al 2008
  • A meta analysis was conducted on 7 clinical trials measuring results after acupuncture treatment during IVF cycles.
  • Researchers concluded, "The odds ratio of 1.65 suggests that acupuncture increases the odds or clinical pregnancy by 65% compared to the control groups."
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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