OBJECTIVETo compare clinical efficacy differences between"regulating conception-governor vessel" acupuncture method and clomiphene for infertility of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

METHODSOne hundred patients of PCOS were randomly assigned into an observation group and a control group, 50 cases in each one. The patients in the observation group were treated with"regulating Conception-Governor Vessel" acupuncture method at Zhongwan (CV 12), Guanyuan (CV 4), Qihai (CV 6), Zhongji (CV 3), Mingmen (GV 4), Yaoyangguan (GV 3) and Yaoshu (GV 2). The acupuncture treatment started at the end of menstruation, once every other day; after four treatments, the follicle was tested with B ultrasound; when follicle was longer than 18 mm or above, the acupuncture treatment was given once a day until follicle was discharged and acupuncture treatment finished. The patients in the control group were treated with oral administration of clomiphene from 5 days into menstruation, 50 mg per day for 5 consecutive days. Both groups were treated for three menstruation cycle. The menstrual cycles, endometrial thickness, endometrium types (A, B and C), cervical mucus scores, basal body temperature (BBT), cases of ovulation, cases of pregnancy were observed.The levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E), prolactin (PRL), progesterone (P) and testosterone (T) in serum were detected before and after the treatment.

RESULTSAfter the treatment, the menstrual cycles were shortened (both<0.05),the endometrial thickness and cervical mucus scores were increased in the two groups (<0.05,<0.01); the improvement of endometrial thickness and cervical mucus score in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (both<0.01). The percentages of type-A endometrium in both groups were higher than those before the treatment (both<0.05); the number of type-A endometrium in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). The ovulation rate was 88.0% (44/50) in the observation group, which was superior to 70.0% (35/50) in the control group (<0.05). After treatment, the levels of LH were reduced in the two groups (<0.05,<0.01), which was more significant in the observation group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe"regulating Conception-Governor Vessel" acupuncture method could improve menstrual cycles, increase endomet-rial thickness and promote the development of follicles in PCOS patient; in addition, it could decrease serum LH level, improve the ovarian functions and increase ovulation rate, which is superior to oral administration of clomiphene.