[Changes in serum FSH, LH and ovarian follicular growth during electroacupuncture for induction of ovulation].

Changes in serum FSH, LH and follicular sizes were observed in chronically anovulatory patients during electroacupuncture treatment (EAT) for induction of ovulation. 7 cases were diagnosed as PCOD, 3 as dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and 1 as hypogonadotropic amenorrhea. Among them 8 cases complained of infertility for 2.7 years on average. Ovulation was confirmed by pregnancy or the combination of biphasic BBT and ultrasonographic evidence. During one cycle with 3-day EAT on acupoints Ren 3, 4, Extra 16 and Sp 6, ovulation resulted in 5 patients (ovulatory group) and among the 5 cases, 3 of 4 infertile cases became pregnant. The other 5 cases remained in anovulation (anovulatory group); of them 3 cases got biphasic BBT, but no typical ovulatory signs were found on ultrasonography; 2 cases remained in monophasic BBT. Serum FSH, LH values were elevated in ovulatory group, and FSH pulsatile frequency increased significantly during EAT (from 2.10 +/- 0.42/4h to 3.70 +/- 1.64/4h), but not in anovulatory group. No apparent changes were found in serum LH pulsatile frequency and pulsatile amplitudes of FSH and LH in this study. In ovulatory group diameters of ovarian follicles increased markedly, while diameters of anovulatory group stopped to grow at 14-16 mm. It is suggested that ovulation may be induced by EAT via a regulation on hypothalamic-pituitary function leading to normal secretion of FSH and LH.