Case Report : Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, treatment with acupuncture

Abstract

Background -. Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT) is one of the most common causes of male infertility. Although the sexual function may be normal, there is a reduced count of mainly dysfunctional spermatozoa³. This condition includes oligozoospermia (lowe number of sperm), asthenozoospermia (poor sperm movement) and teratozoospermia (abnormal sperm shape). The term oligoasthenoteratozoospermia is used when all three factors are present¹. The quality of semen is affected by smoking cigarettes or marijuana, alcohol, medications, hormone preparations, variococele, infections, genetics or it can be idiopatic when the cause for the condition is unclear. Acupuncture is very often used to enhance male fertility. With acupuncture the sperm quality and production can be increased, hormonal factor can be corrected by restoring balance to the entire body and mechanical blockages can be dissolved or reduced.²

Purpose - The main purpose of this work is to show a case of oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, the results before and after the treatment with acupuncture and that acupuncture is totally safe and effective treatment in the cases of man’s infertility.

Methods – The acupuncture treatment has been done in ‘Tong da Tang’ clinic for Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture in Skopje by Prof. Dr. Zhu Jihe. The patient is 35 year old male diagnozed with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia according to the criteria of WHO and KRUGGER. The patient has done 7 treatments in a period of two weeks. The treatments have been done in a closed room on temperature of 25 degrees with duration of 35-40 minutes. The needles were sterile with 0.25x25mm dimensions, made by Wuijuiang City Medical Health Material Co., LTD. The acupoints that have been used in the treatment are: DU20 (BaiHui), RN12 (ZhongWan), ST25 (TianShu), RN6 (QiHai), RN4 (GuanYuan), ST26 (WaiLing), RN1 (HuiYin), DU1 (CnagQiang), BL32 (CiLiao), BL28 (Bang GuangShu), LI4 (HeGu), PC6 (NeiGuan), ST36 (ZuSanLi), GB34 (YangLingQuan), SP9 (YinLingQuan), SP6 (SanYinJiao), LR3 (TaiChong), KI3 (TaiXi) and KI1 (YongQuan).

Results - The patient has made two semen analysis tests before and after the acupuncture treatment. The patient done the first test after abstination of 5 days, by sperm giving method – masturbation and was diagnozed with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia according to the criteria of WHO and KRUGGER. After the acupuncture treatment, the patient has done another semen analysis, a standard test by the criteria of WHO (fifth edition 2010) and the results were totally satisfying. The interpretation is: Brought in material analysis - ejaculate with complete liquefaction, without presence of mucous fibers, not noticeable oligozoospermia or asthenospermia (with moderate degree of agglutination of sperm). Normal ejaculate volume and normal viscosity. Note - indicated an increased presence of leukocytes. Acupuncture is moving the whole body toward better health, so the sperm is in better health too. Healthier bodies make healthier sperm.²

Key words – acupoints, acupuncture, infertility, oligoasthenoteratozoospermia, treatment