Mechanism of Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney Acupoint in Treating Oligoasthenospermia in Rats via the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Testicular Axis.

Abstract

Oligoasthenospermia is a common cause of male infertility. The hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis regulates gonadal differentiation and maturation through reproductive hormone synthesis and release, playing a vital role in male fertility. Disrupting HPT axis stability impairs sperm production, reducing semen quality. Investigating electroacupuncture's effect on HPT axis regulation may provide insights into treating oligoasthenospermia. Fifty 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into blank, model, Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney, non-acupoint, and L-carnitine groups (n = 10 per group). Except for the blank group, rats received adenine intragastrically for 28 days to establish the model. Post-modeling, the Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney group underwent electroacupuncture at designated acupoints, while the non-acupoint group received sham treatment for 30 min daily. The L-carnitine group received L-carnitine (10 mL/kg) intragastrically once daily. Treatments continued for 28 days. General conditions, organ coefficients, and semen quality were assessed. HE staining analyzed tissue morphology, and ELISA detected serum hormone changes. Compared to the model group, the Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney, and L-carnitine groups exhibited significant improvements in spirit, diet, and bowel movements, with increased body weight, while the non-acupoint group showed no significant change. Renal organ coefficients decreased significantly in the Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney and L-carnitine groups but remained unchanged in the non-acupoint group. Testicular organ coefficients showed no significant differences among treatment groups. Sperm count, density, survival, and motility rates improved significantly in the Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney and L-carnitine groups, but not in the non-acupoint group. H&E staining showed ameliorated kidney and testicular tissue damage in the Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney and L-carnitine groups. ELISA revealed increased T, GnRH, and INHB and decreased LH, FSH, E2, and PRL levels in these groups (p < 0.001), with no significant changes in the non-acupoint group. These findings indicate that Shu-Mu Brain-Kidney acupoint therapy improves sperm quality by regulating the HPT axis, offering a potential treatment for oligoasthenospermia.