Wenshen Yangxue decoction promotes follicular development in aged female mice stimulation of the silent information regulator 3/forkhead transcription factor O1 3a pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To primarily explore the effect and mechanism of Wenshen Yangxue decoction in promoting follicular development in elderly female mice. METHODS: Fifty Institute of Cancer Research mice were randomly divided into blank, controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH), low-dose Wenshen Yangxue decoction, medium-dose Wenshen Yangxue decoction, and high-dose Wenshen Yangxue decoction groups, with 10 mice in each group. The number of ovulations, number of fertilizations, mitochondrial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of oocytes in each group were compared. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of silent information regulator 3 (Sirt3) and forkhead transcription factor O1 3a (FOXO3a). RESULTS: Wenshen Yangxue decoction significantly increased the number of ovulations in mice (P < 0.05) and promoted the formation of fertilized eggs. The ATP level and mtDNA copy number of mice oocytes in the high-dose groups were significantly higher than those in the COH group (P < 0.05). Wenshen Yangxue decoction significantly increased the mRNA and protein levels of Sirt3 and FOXO3a in mouse oocytes. CONCLUSION: Wenshen Yangxue decoction promoted the development of follicles in elderly female mice, increased the number of ovulations and improved fertility. Its mechanism may be related to increased mitochondrial energy metabolism and regulation of the Sirt3/FOXO3a pathway.

Clinical Observations on Electroacupuncture-induced Ovulation in Patients with Luteinized Unruptured Follicle Syndrome / 针灸推拿医学（英文版）

To investigate the curative effect of electroacupuncture on luteinized unruptured follicle syndrome(LUFS) and its mechanism. Methods:Sixty LUFS patients were randomly allocated to treatment (electroacupuncture) group and control (hCG) group. The follicular condition and ovarian arterial flow under color Doppler ultrasonogaphy and a change in reproductive endocrine level were observed in the patients before and after treatments. The ovulation rates and pregnancy rates were compared between the two groups,and the mechanism was investigated. Results:Both ovulation rate and pregnancy rate were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P＜0.01). There was a significant difference in the improvement in ovarian arterial flow between the treatment and control groups (P＜0.01). The improvement in endocrine level was significantly more marked in the treatment group than in the control group(P＜0.01). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture has a good effect on luteinized unrupture follicle syndrome. Its mechanism may be related to the improvement in ovarian arterial blood supply and the regulation of endocrine level.