Acupuncture and embryo transfer, Fertility and Sterility

Fertility and Sterility, the official publication of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine publishes juried original articles of scientific excellence in clinical and laboratory research relevant to reproductive endocrinology and physiology.

The studies below have all appeared in the journal Fertility and Sterility. Ten of them found that acupuncture performed close to the time of embryo transfer improved chances of pregnancy. Three reported no effect, and one found a negative effect (which was put down to the fact that the patients had to drive across town after their embryo transfer to reach the acupuncture clinic). More studies are underway to investigate the mechanism behind the effect of acupuncture on implantation of the embryo.

If any provisional conclusions are to be drawn at this stage, it is that acupuncture appears to confer an advantage to clinical trial groups which have an expected pregnancy rate of around 35% or less. Where chance of pregnancy is 50 - 60% then acupuncture applied at the time of embryo transfer may not offer so much benefit. 

	Influence of acupuncture on the pregnancy rate in patients who undergo assisted reproduction therapy Paulus W et al, Fertil Steril 2002 Vol 77, pg 721-724 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Influence of acupuncture stimulation on pregnancy rates for women undergoing embryo transfer, Smith C et al, Fertil Steril 2006 Vol 85, pg 1352-1358 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Acupuncture on the day of embryo transfer significantly improves the reproductive outcome in infertile women: a prospective, randomized trial Westergaard L et al, Fertil Steril 2006 Vol 85, pg 1341-1346 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Effect of acupuncture on the outcome of in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection: a randomized, prospective, controlled clinical study Dieterle S et al, Fertil Steril 2006 Vol 85, pg 1347-1351 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Impact of acupuncture before and after embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization cycles: A prospective single blind randomized study Benson M. R. et al, Fertil Steril 2006 Vol 86, Issue 3, pg S135 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	The effect of acupuncture on outcomes in in-vitro fertilization (IVF) Udoff L. C. et al, Fertil Steril 2007 Vol 86, Issue 3, pg S145 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	The effect of acupuncture in assisted reproduction techniques Teshima D. R. K et al, Fertil Steril 2007 Vol 88, Suppl 1, pg S330 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Acupuncture & IVF poor responders: a cure? Magarelli P,Cridennda D, Fertil Steril,2004;81 Suppl 3 S20 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	A randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over study evaluating acupuncture as an adjunct to IVF Quintero R et al, Fertil Steril 2004 Vol 81 Suppl 3, pg S11-12 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	The impact of acupuncture on IVF outcome Domar A et al, Fertil Steril 2006 Vol 86 Suppl 2, pg S378-379 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	The impact of acupuncture on in vitro fertilization outcome. Domar A et al Fertil Steril 2009 Vol 91 Issue 3 pg 723-6 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Acupuncture lowers pregnancy rates when performed before and after embryo transfer Craig L. B et al, Fertil Steril 2007 Vol 88, Suppl 1, pg S40 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract

	Acupuncture performed before and after embryo transfer improves pregnancy rates. Youran D et al Fertil Steril 2008 Vol. 90, Suppl 1, pg S240 Fertilty and Sterility View Abstract

Laser acupuncture before and after embryo transfer improves ART delivery rates. Fratterelli JL et al Fertil Steril 2008 Vol 90, Suppl 1,pg S105 Fertility and Sterility View Abstract