Objective

2

To compare the clinical efficacy between herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion combined with conventional medication and conventional medication alone in treating asthenozoospermia infertility of kidney

yang

deficiency.

Methods

2

A total of 126 patients with asthenozoospermia infertility of kidney

yang

deficiency were randomized into a herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion group (moxibustion group

63 cases

3 cases dropped out) and a medication group (63 cases

2 cases dropped out

2 cases were eliminated). The medication group was treated with levocarnitine oral solution and Yougui capsules orally. On the basis of the treatment in the medication group

herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion was applied in the moxibustion group

once every 6 days. Both groups were treated for 90 days. Before and after treatment

the sperm progressive mobility (PR)

sperm progressive and non-progressive mobility (PR+NP)

sperm deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragmentation index (DFI)

seminal plasma levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD)

and TCM syndrome score were observed; the natural pregnancy rate of spouses was recorded during treatment and follow-up of 6 weeks after treatment completion; and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups.

Results

2

After treatment

the sperm PR and PR+NP

and seminal plasma SOD levels were increased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05)

while the sperm DFI

seminal plasma MDA levels

and TCM syndrome scores were decreased compared with those before treatment (

P

<

0.05) in the two groups. After treatment

the sperm PR and PR+NP

and seminal plasma SOD level in the moxibustion group were higher than those in the medication group (

P

<

0.05)

the sperm DFI

seminal plasma MDA level

and TCM syndrome score were lower than those in the medication group (

P

<

0.05). During the treatment and follow-up periods

there were no statistically significant differences in the natural pregnancy rates of spouses in the two groups (

P

>

0.05). The total effective rate in the moxibustion group was 75.0% (45/60)

which was higher than 47.5% (28/59) in the medication group (

P

<

0.05).

Conclusion

2

On the basis of conventional medication treatment

herbal cake-separated governor vessel moxibustion can improve the sperm motility

sperm DFI

and seminal plasma SOD and MDA levels

and alleviate TCM clinical symptoms in patients with asthenospermia infertility of kidney

yang

deficiency. Its clinical efficacy is superior to that of medication treatment alone.