[Preliminary study on the mechanisms of acupuncture in promoting embryo implantation in rats].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the influence of acupuncture on embryo implantation in rat model of embryo implantation dysfunction, and to primarily explore its possible mechanisms.


METHODS
Pregnant rats were randomly allocated into the control group, the model group and the acupuncture group. The pregnancy rate and average number of blastocyst were observed, the serum levels of estrodiol (E2), progesterone (P4) and prolactin (PRL) were detected by RIA, and the protein and mRNA expression of progesterone receptor (PR) and prolactin receptor (PRLR) in endometrial tissue of implantation site were determined using immunohistochemical assay and RT-PCR respectively.


RESULTS
The pregnancy rate and average number of blastocyst were significantly higher in the acupuncture group than those in the control group respectively (P <0.01). The serum levels of P4 and PRL as well as the protein and mRNA expression levels of PR and PRLR in the model group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Acupuncture can promote embryo implantation in rats to a certain degree, and its mechanism might be related with the effects of acupuncture in mediating the sexual hormone levels and the receptor expression of rats.
Liu
Xin-yu
XY
Department of Integriaive Chinese and Western Medicine, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan.
Huang
Guang-ying
GY
Zhang
Ming-min
MM
D015670:Acupuncture Therapy; D000818:Animals; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000502:physiology*; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D004958:Estradiol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin; D011374:Progesterone; D004958:Estradiol