Abstract
Exploration and Reflection on the Application of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Assisted Reproduction

The assisted reproductive technology has developed, but the clinical live birth pregnancy rate is only about 40%, which still needs to be improved. How can we leverage the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine in seed, land, and environmental issues? Our research group has explored these levels accordingly.
We focused on the clinical effects and mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine on diseases including ovarian dysfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome, recurrent miscarriage and repeated implantation failure in the IVF-ET process. We found that the traditional Chinese herbs and the acupuncture intervention in the IVF-ET process can improve endometrial receptivity and clinical pregnancy rate, and we have led the publication of expert consensus. At the same time, we have led the international/domestic multicenter clinical research on acupuncture treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and found that acupuncture treatment can effectively improve ovulation disorders, endocrine and metabolic disorders in women with PCOS. We have also established a PCOS lifestyle guidance system, obtained invention patents, and achieved scientific research transformation. In basic experiments, we found that ginsenoside Rb1 can reduce the levels of oxidative stress markers in aged ovarian granulosa cells and reverse the expression of apoptosis-related proteins. Our research group's previous work suggests that traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture intervention in assisted reproduction have unique advantages, and their effectiveness and mechanism of action are worth further in-depth exploration.