[Clinical observation of herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency TEAS for asthenospermia and oligospermia].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) for asthenospermia and oligospermia.

Methods: A total of 105 patients with asthenospermia and oligospermia were randomly divided into a combination group, a TEAS group and a medication group, 35 cases in each one. In the medication group, vitamin E capsules, coenzyme Q10 capsules， pills were taken. In the TEAS group, TEAS was applied at Shenshu (BL 23) and Pishu (BL 20), 2 Hz in frequency, 10-15 mA in intensity, once every 2 days, 30 min each time.On the base of the treatment as the TEAS group, herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel [Shenque (CV 8) to Zhongji (CV 3)] was applied in the combination group, once every 10 days. A total of 3 months were required in the 3 groups.Before treatment and 2, 3 months into treatment, the semen routine indexes (concentration, normal morphology rate, sperm motility), seminal plasma contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) and TCM syndrome score were observed in the 3 groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated.

Results: Compared before treatment, except for the sperm morphology 2 months into treatment in the medication group, the semen routine indexes 2, 3 months into treatment were improved in the 3 groups (<0.01), and the semen routine indexes 2, 3 months into treatment in the combination group were superior to the medication group and the TEAS group (<0.01). Compared before treatment, the seminal plasma contents of SOD were increased and MDA were decreased 2, 3 months into treatment in the 3 groups (<0.01), and the changes of the combination group were larger than the medication group and the TEAS group (<0.01). Compared before treatment, the TCM syndrome scores 2, 3 months into treatment in the combination group, and 3 months into treatment in the medication group and the TEAS group were decreased (<0.01). The TCM syndrome scores 2, 3 months into treatment in the combination group were lower than the medication group and the TEAS group (<0.01). The total effective rates in the combination group, the medication group and the TEAS group were 85.7% (30/35), 68.6% (24/35) and 65.7% (23/35), the clinical efficacy of the combination group was higher than the medication group and the TEAS group (<0.05).

Conclusion: Herb-separated moxibustion on segmental conception vessel combined with low-frequency TEAS can improve semen routine, reduce sperm oxidative stress damage for patients with asthenospermia and oligospermia, and the clinical efficacy is better than the medication and TEAS.