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Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Dual Somatic Recordings from Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurons Identified by Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) in Hypothalamic Slices
Published on: February 23, 2010
Experimental study on acupuncture activating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons in hypothalamus
Shao-Jun Wang1, Bing Zhu, Xiao-Xuan Ren
1Institute of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Beijing 100700, China. ddwsj5@sina.com
Objective:
To probe into the most effective site, extra-ordinary point, acupoint and channel for regulating reproductive endocrine function by means of the study on acupuncture activating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons (GnRH) in hypothalamus.
Methods:
Female SD rats of reproductive age were used, and the in vivo study on GnRH neurons in hypothalamus was made with mimic sexual stimulation and feedback regulation. The neuron-activating effects of the acupoints on the channels pertaining to the zang- and fu-organs related with reproductive endocrine and the extra-ordinary points in different regions were studied using the discharge of the neuron as index, and then the neurons were labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP).
Results:
Acupuncture was given at two acupoints each on the three yin channels of foot, the three yang channels of foot, the Conception Vessel and the Governor Vessel. The order of the mean increasing percentage in the hypothalamic GnRH neuron electric activity was: the Gallbladder Channel > the Spleen Channel > the Stomach Channel/the Bladder Channel/the Conception Vessel > the Liver Channel > the Kidney Channel > the Governor Vessel; for different acupoints, it was: Guanyuan (CV 4) > Sanyinjiao (SP 6) > Zusanli (ST 36) > Daimai (GB 26)/Yanglingquan (GB 34) > Shenshu (BL 23) > Weizhong (BL 40) > Yaoyangguan (GV 3)/Liangmen (ST 21)/Fujie (SP 14) > Qimen (LR 14)/Yingu (KI 10) > Tangzhong (CV 17)/Zhiyang (GV 9); for different positions, it was: the lower abdominal part/the lower limb part > the thoracodorsal part; for the extra-ordinary points, it was: Zigong (EX-CA1) > Dannang (EX-LE6)/Yaoyan (EX-B7) > Baichongwo (EX-LE3)/Qianzheng > Jingbi/Bizhong/Taiyang (EX-HN5) > Erbai (EX-UE2)/ Dingchun; and for the distribution sites of the extra-ordinary points: lower abdominal region > the lower limb region > the craniofacial region > the upper limb region/the thoracodorsal region.
Conclusion:
For regulating the reproductive endocrine function, the acupoints located at the same neural segment with the reproductive organ should be selected as the main points, and it is necessary to combine with syndrome differentiation of the viscera and channels.
