Prophylactic Action Of Acupuncture And Drugs On Reproductive Function Influenced By Chronic Stress In Female Rats

Objective: To study the prophylactic action and mechanism of acupuncture and drugs on ovarian function in rats that influenced by chronic stress.Methods: 50 female SD rats in clean grade with regular estrous cycle were randomly divided into normal group, model group, acupuncture group, herb group and western medicine group. The normal group was given routine feeding. Other groups were given the random stress everyday. Three preventive treatment groups were respectively administered acupuncture treatment for 30min, intragastrically with Traditional Chinese Medicine at the dose of 15g/kg/d, and Conjugated Estrogens Tables (Premarin) at the dose of 0.0625mg/kg/d for 28 consecutive days. Vaginal smears were taken daily to determine the length and stage of estrous cycle. All rats were weighed weekly, open-field test was used for behavioral scoring every other week. All rats were sacraficed on the 29th day, then the serum and ovaries were collected. The serum level of estradiol (E₂) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were detected by radio immunoassay (RIA). Histopathological change was examined by stainning with hematoxylin eosin (HE). The expression of FSH and FSHR in ovary tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry. Real-time PCR was used to examine ovarian anti-müllerian hormone (AMH) and its receptor mRNA expression.Result: The fur of normal group was smoother than the model group. The normal group led a proper diet, moved with ease and gained weight steady while the model group showed food intake reduction, activity decrease and weight loss. Three preventive treatment groups had some improvement compared with the model group. The normal group showed a regular estrous cycle, the model group presented irregular or prolonged estrous cycle, and several rats of three preventive treatment groups showed regular estrous cycle. Compared with the normal group, serum E₂ was decreased significantly (P<0.01) and serum FSH was increased remarkably (P<0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, serum E₂ was increased and serum FSH was decreased in three preventive treatment groups (P<0.05). HE stain showed the follicles and corpus letea were less in the model group than the normal group (P<0.05), fibrous connective tissue was increased in model group. Compared with the model group, corpus letea were increased in the herb group (P<0.05) (attached drawing 1). Immunohistochemistry showed that there had more FSH, AMH and their receptors expressions in the ovaries of model group than those of normal group (P<0.01). The positive expression of FSH, AMH and their receptors in three preventive treatment groups were reduced compared with model group (P<0.01). Ovarian AMH and AMHRⅡmRNA expression increased in model group (P<0.05) compared with normal group, and decreased in herb and western medicine groups (P<0.05) compared with model group.Conclusion: These results suggest that chronic stress could lead to a disorder of ovarian function. Acupuncture and drugs can regulate ovary function, and have preventative effects.