[Effects of Shen invigorating and Chong-channel regulating method on anti-Müllerian hormone and oocyte quality in polycystic ovarian syndrome patients]

Abstract

Objective: To study the effects of Shen invigorating and Chong-channel Regulating Method (SCRM) on anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and its correlation with oocyte quality in the serum and the follicular fluid of infertile patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) who received in vitro fertilization (IVF), thus studying the mechanism of SCRM on the oocyte quality of PCOS patients.

Methods: Sixty infertile patients with PCOS undergo ing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were randomly assigned to two groups, 30 in each. Erzhi Tiangui Granule combined with Western medicine was given to patients in the treatment group, while Western medicine was given to those in the control group. The single oocyte estradiol (E2) level, the resistive Index ( RI), the pulsatility index (PI) of the follicular membrane, the number of harvested oocytes, the high quality oocyte rate, the fertilization rate, the cleavage rate, the high quality embryo rate, and the difference of AMH in the serum and the follicular fluid were observed between the two groups. The correlation tests were performed between the levels of AMH in the serum and the follicular fluid and te uli rates of high quality oocyte and high quality embryo. Meanwhile, the correlation analysis of the AMH level between the serum and the follicular fluid was also conducted.

Results: (1) The single oocyte E2 level, the high quality oocyte rate, the fertilization rate, the cleavage rate, the high quality embryo rate were significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). (2) The RI and the PI of the follicular membrane both significantly more decreased in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.05). (3) The levels of AMH in the serum and the follicular fluid were obviously lower in the treatment group than in the control group (P < 0.01). The AMH levels in the serum and the follicle fluid were positively correlated. The level of AMH in the follicular fluid was obviously negatively correlated with the high quality oocyte rate and the high quality embryo rate.

Conclusions: SCRM could improve the oocyte quality of PCOS patients. Its mechanisms were correlated with regulating the AMH levels in the serum and the follicular fluid, adjusting the androgen level, improving the pathophysiological changes of PCOS patients, and activating the ovarian microenvironment. It is necessary to carry out further studies.