OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of autologous blood injection and 0.9% NaCl at Zusanli (ST 36) on ovarian function in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency.

METHODSSixty patients with primary ovarian insufficiency were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The patients in the observation group were treated with injection of autologous blood at Zusanli (ST 36); the patients in the control group were treated with 0.9% NaCl with identical volume at Zusanli (ST 36). Both the treatments were given once a week for 3 months. The ovarian function, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol (E) were tested before treatment, 1 month, 2 months and 3 months after first acupoint injection; the endometrial thickness before and after treatment and clinical efficacy were compared in the two groups.

RESULTSCompared before treatment, FSH was lowered in the observation group after 1-month treatment (<0.05), while FSH and LH were lowered and Ewas increased after 2-month treatment and 3-month treatment (all<0.05). Compared with 1-month treatment, FSH and LH were lowered and Ewas increased in the observation group after 2-month treatment and 3-month treatment (all<0.05). Compared with 2-month treatment, FSH was lowered and Ewas increased in the observation group after 3-month treatment (both<0.05). The differences of all serum tests before and after treatment were insignificant in the control group (all>0.05). The FSH after 1-month treatment, and FSH, LH and Eafter 2-month treatment and 3-month treatment in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group (all<0.05). The endometrial thickness after treatment in the observation group was higher than that before treatment (<0.05), while the endometrial thickness after treatment in the control group was similar to that before treatment (>0.05); the difference of endometrial thickness before and after treatment in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (<0.05). The clinical effective rate was 83.3% (25/30) in the observation group, which was superior to 46.7% (14/30) in the control group (<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe autologous blood injection at Zusanli (ST 36) can significantly improve ovarian function, promote endometrial growth in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency.