[Effect of moxibustion pretreatment at different time on ovarian function in rats with dimini-shed ovarian reserve]

To observe the effect of moxibustion pretreatment at different time on serum hormone levels in diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) rats, so as to explore its protective mechanisms.

Forty female SD rats were randomly divided into control, model, moxibustion-1 (moxibustion was given 4 weeks before modeling), moxibustion-2 (moxibustion was given 2 weeks before modeling and 2 weeks from the 1st day on after modeling ) and moxibustion-3 (moxibustion was given 4 weeks from the 1st day on after modeling) groups (n=8 rats in each group). The DOR model was established by gavage of Tripterygium Glycosides (75 mg/kg) once daily for 14 days. Grain-moxibustion was applied to "Shenshu" (BL23) and "Guanyuan" (CV4) for 7 cones, 5 times a week for 4 weeks. The body weight and the ovary weight were recorded for calculating the ovarian index. The levels of serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), estradiol (E2), androgen (T) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) were detected by ELISA.

After modeling, ovarian index and serum AMH levels were obviously decreased (P<0.05), and the levels of serum FSH, E2, T and DHEA were significantly increased in contrast with the control group (P<0.05). Following intervention and compared with the model group, the serum FSH and DHEA levels of each moxibustion group were significantly reduced (P<0.05), the AMH levels significantly increased and E2 and T contents significantly decreased in the moxibustion-2 and moxibustion-3 groups (P<0.05). The serum FSH, E2 and T contents in moxibustion-2 group were obviously lower than those of the moxibustion-1 and moxibustion-3 groups (P<0.05).

Moxibustion pre-treatment can improve ovarian reserve function in DOR rats, while the effect is different with different intervention time, and the best intervention time is pre-occurrence and early stage of DOR.