Elucidation of the Mechanism Underlying the Rise and Decline of Male Reproductive Function from the Perspective of Tiangui （天癸） Theory
10.13288/j.11-2166/r.2026.18.002
- VernacularTitle:天癸理论视角下男性生殖功能盛衰机制阐释
- Author:
Yuhao MENG
1
;
Haoyu WANG
1
;
Wei LIU
1
;
Yang YANG
1
;
Yudie HU
1
;
Xing ZHOU
1
Author Information
1. First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine，Changsha，410007
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
reproductive function;
kidney essence;
tiangui （天癸）;
male
- From:
Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine
2026;67(18):1931-1935
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Based on ancient and modern literature， this paper systematically elucidates the concept， physiological characteristics， and reproductive significance of tiangui （天癸）， and further reviews its theoretical connotation throughout the entire process of male reproductive function， covering its onset， maturation， maintenance， disorder， and decline. In terms of its physiological foundation， tiangui is rooted in kidney essence and regulates male reproductive function through the coordination of zang-fu （脏腑） organs. It possesses characteristics of being time-limited， rhythmic， relatively independent， targeted， and functionally diverse. The occurrence of male reproductive diseases is closely related to the abnormality of tiangui， which primarily manifests as tiangui deficiency and dysregulation of tiangui timing. In clinical practice， treatment should follow the principle of "supplementing its deficiency and regulating its timing"， so as to restore the operating rhythm of tiangui.
