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Success of acupuncture treatment in patients with initially low sperm output is associated with a decrease in scrotal
Shimon Siterman1, Fina Eltes, Liora Schechter
1Maccabi Fund Complementary Medicine, Kaufman Street, Tel Aviv 68012, Israel.
Asian Journal of Andrology
|January 6, 2009
Summary
Acupuncture may improve sperm count in men with low sperm density and genital tract inflammation by reducing scrotal hyperthermia. This treatment is recommended for men experiencing infertility linked to elevated scrotal temperature.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Traditional Chinese Medicine
Background:
- Poor spermatogenesis is often linked to genital tract inflammation and elevated scrotal temperature (scrotal hyperthermia).
- Acupuncture has shown potential benefits for patients experiencing infertility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if acupuncture treatment reduces scrotal temperature in men with low sperm density.
- To determine if decreased scrotal temperature correlates with improved sperm output.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 39 men with low sperm output (experimental group) and 18 fertile men (control group).
- Scrotal skin temperature and sperm concentration were measured before and after acupuncture treatment.
- A threshold of 30.5°C was established to define high scrotal skin temperature.
Main Results:
- Of 34 men with initial scrotal hyperthermia, 17 showed normalized scrotal temperature post-acupuncture, with 15 experiencing increased sperm count.
- Acupuncture did not affect scrotal temperature or sperm concentration in patients with initially normal scrotal temperatures.
- The treatment was ineffective in men with scrotal hyperthermia due to high gonadotropins or mixed etiological factors.
Conclusions:
- Scrotal hyperthermia is associated with low sperm count in men with genital tract inflammation.
- Acupuncture treatment can be beneficial for improving sperm output in select infertile men by reducing scrotal temperature.
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