ABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo observe the effect of transcutaneous acupoint electrical stimulation (TAES) on the ovariangranulosa cell apoptosis-related proteins, Bcl-2 and Bax, as well as the oocyte quality in theolder women with kidney deficiency receiving in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET).MethodSixty-six older women with kidney deficiency who were receiving IVF-ET because of the fallopian tube factor were randomized into a treatment group (intervened by TAES) and a control group (intervened by sham acupuncture), 33 in each group. The kidney-deficiency syndrome score, HCG E2/follicle count per day, excellent follicle rate, excellent embryo rate, and clinical pregnancy rate were observed and compared between the two groups; Western blot was used to detect the expression of protein Bcl-2 and Bax.ResultCompared to the control group, the treatment group had significant improvement in kidney-deficiencysymptoms (P0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax proteins were markedlycorrelatedwith IVF-related indexes (P<0.05).ConclusionTAES can improve the kidney-deficiency symptoms and the quality of oocyte and embryo inolder women; this action is possibly related to the regulation of expression of the cell apoptosis-related protein Bcl-2 and Bax, as well as the decrease ofgranulosecell apoptosis.