Effect of Thumbtack Needle (TN) on Ovarian Reserve Function of Women With Diminished Ovarian Reserve (DOR)

Diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) is the precursor state of ovarian failure, and can cause the decline of women's reproductive function. Some studies have demonstrated that acupuncture can improve ovarian reserve function. Thumbtack needle (TN), as a kind of acupuncture, is a form of long-term indwelling intradermal needle therapy. TN has been found effective in treating DOR in our clinic. In this study, a multi-center, large sample, randomized, patient-assessor blinded, sham-controlled clinical trial was used to evaluate the effect of TN on ovarian reserve function of patients with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR).

First, patients will be recruited according to the inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria.

Second, baseline measurements (including ovarian reserve function, blood biochemical index, scores from the self-rating anxiety and depression scale, quality of life, sleep status) will be taken.

Third, each patient will receive the treatment of TN or sham TN for a total of 2 menstrual cycles.

Fourth, the above baseline measurements will be taken again as soon as the treatment is finished and outcome measures will be recorded after the treatment.

Last, Natural pregnancy outcomes includes natural pregnancy rate (including biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate) and miscarriage rate during the treatment period and within 6 months after treatment completion will be followed up. Pregnancy outcome Includes number of oocytes retrieved, fertilization rate, embryo formation rate, blastocyst formation rate, biochemical pregnancy rate, clinical pregnancy rate and miscarriage rate during IVF-ET within 6 months after treatment completion will also be followed up.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with age between 18 and 40 years;
• Low ovarian reserve: AMH<1.1ng/ml; or AFC<7; or 10 U/L<FSH<25U/L or FSH/LH>3.6; or has a history of poor ovarian response, that is, in the last controlled hyperstimulation cycle, the number of retrieved oocytes<3. Any 2 of the above 4 conditions are met.
• Sign informed consent voluntarily.

Exclusion criteria

• Patient's chromosome is abnormal.
• Patients with previous ovarian surgery because of such as ovarian teratoma or chocolate cyst and so on.
• Patients with uncorrected endocrine disease, such as: Simple hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, hyperprolactinemia, insulin resistance, diabetes, adrenal diseases, etc.
• Patients with definitively diagnosed autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, antiphospholipid syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome, Hashimoto's thyroiditis.
• Patients with a history of cancer and has received radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
• Patients had the treatment of acupuncture or thumbtack needle in recent 3 months.
• Patients who take Chinese medicine decoction or granule during the treatment;
• Patients unwilling to sign the informed consent of this study.