Acupuncture treatment for teratozoospermia

Abstract

Teratozoospermia is a condition that affects male fertility, that is, the morphology of the sperm is abnormal. Sperm morphology refers to the sperm shape and size. Teratozoospermia is diagnosed when more than 95% of sperm in a man's semen sample have abnormal morphology. Traditional Chinese Medicine can improve sperm motility and concentration and pregnancy rate more effectively than Western medicine. Acupuncture reduces inflammation, modulates the immune system, and increases the motility of sperm and semen parameters. Acupuncture mechanisms can be local, segmental, or central, activating the somatic afferent nerves that innervate the skin and muscles, thereby modulating their activities. In this article is presented a case of 33 years old man with teratozoospermia, ie according to the spermogram made in March 2024, the morphology of the spermatozoa was 0.99% and the reference frequency is ≥ 4%. The other motility and mobility parameters are within normal limits. The patient and his partner are planning to start an in vitro fertilization procedure, therefore he started acupuncture treatment on 31 May 2024 and he did 11 treatments. Аfter these 11 treatments, he made a spermogram on 26.08.2024 with a diagnosis of normozoospermia, that is, the morphology of normal spermatozoa - 13.76%. Chinese medicine is a useful option for infertile men, can also alleviate inflammation, prevent oxidative stress.

Keywords: teratozoospermia, spermogram, male infertility, TCM, acupuncture