Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To observe the analgesic effect of acupuncture at Hegu (LI 4) in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) transvaginal oocyte retrieval using ultrasonography and explore its mechanism. METHODS: Ninety patients undergoing IVF-EF oocyte retrieval were randomly divided into three groups: an acupuncture group with needles inserted into bilateral Hegu (LI 4) points, a placebo group given placebo needles, and a control group with routine oocyte retrieval. Each group had an indometacin enema 30 min before the operation. We compared the pain-rated index (PRI), visual analogy scale (VAS), and present pain intensity (PPI) immediately after operation and 1 h after operation. We also determined the neuropeptide Y (NPY) level of the follicular fluid. RESULTS: PRI, VAS, and PPI after operation and 1 hafter operation in the acupuncture group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P< 0.01). No obvious difference (P>0.05) was observed in PRI,VAS, and PPI after operation and 1 h after operation between the placebo group and the control group.The NPY level of the follicular fluid in the acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P0.05) was observed in the NPY level of the follicular fluid between the placebo group and the control group. CONCLUSION: The analgesic effect of acupuncture at Hegu in transvaginal oocyte retrieval using ultrasonography may be related to the increase in the NPY level of the follicular fluid.

Key words: Acupuncture, Hegu (LI 4), Analgesics, non-narcotic, Oocyte retrieval, NeuropeptideY