OBJECTIVETo observe the influence of acupuncture on the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation, and investigate its mechanism.

METHODSThe early pregnant female rats were randomly divided into a normal control group, a model group, an acupoint group and a non-acupoint group. The model rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation were established with Mifepristone. For acupuncture treatment, bilateral "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) were selected in the acupoint group, while the points around the acupoint were used in the non-acupoint group. In this experiment, the levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), estrodiol (Es) and progesterone (P) in serum were tested with radioimmunity method, the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ovary was examined with immunohistochemical assay and Western-blot, and also, the mRNA expression of VEGF and luteinizing hormone receptor (LHR) in ovary were detected with RT-PCR.

RESULTSThe levels of LH and P in serum, as well as the expression of VEGF, VEGF mRNA and LHR mRNA in ovary in the acupoint group were significantly higher than those in the model group and the non-acupoint group (P < 0.05), but there was no obvious difference from that of the normal control group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncturing at "Housanli" (ST 36) and "Sanyinjiao" (SP 6) can increase the levels of LH and P in the serum, and up-regulate the expression of VEGF, VEGF mRNA and LHR mRNA in ovary, which may enhance the luteal function of rats with dysfunctional embryo implantation and improve its embryo implantation.