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Low-frequency electroacupuncture at acupoints guanyuan (CV4) and zhongji (CV3) lengthen ejaculatory latency and improves sexual behavior in male rats
Andy C Huang1, Ming-Che Liu2, Tung-Hu Tsai3, Ya-Han Chang4, Jia-Min Wu4, Kuei-Ying Yeh4
1 Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University; Department of Urology, Taipei City Hospital Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan
2 Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University Hospital; School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
3 Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei; Department of Chemical Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan
4 Department of Physical Therapy, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan
Correspondence Address:
Dr. Kuei-Ying Yeh
Department of Physical Therapy, Hungkuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu, Taichung 43302
Taiwan
 Source of Support: This study was supported by research grants obtained from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan (MOST 106-2410-H-241-002; MOST 107-2410-H-241-004), and the Department of Health, Taipei City Government, Taiwan (No. 10701-62-056)., Conflict of Interest: None  | 5 |
DOI: 10.4103/CJP.CJP_34_20
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Acupuncture is a key component of Traditional Chinese Medicine in which needles are inserted into specific areas in the body to stimulate certain physiological reactions of the body. Clinical research shows that acupuncture is beneficial in treating a variety of illnesses, such as erectile dysfunction. Therefore, we investigated the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) stimulation of both low- and high frequencies at Guanyuan (CV4) and Zhongji (CV3) acupoints on male copulatory behavior in sexually experienced male rats. The animals were randomly divided into four groups: control, sham EA, EA, and only acupuncture. The administered low and high EA were 2 Hz and 80 Hz, respectively, for which the respective intensities were 1.5 mA (30 min/day for 5 days) and 1.5 mA (30 min once). The only acupuncture-administered group received acupunctures at CV4 and CV3 without electrical stimulation. Following the acupuncture treatments, copulatory behavior test was conducted. Eventually, animals were sacrificed and blood samples were collected for testing the serum hormonal profile including luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), and serotonin (5-HT). Results showed that low-frequency EA-treated rats exhibited increasing intromissions and ejaculation latency compared to control, sham EA, and acupuncture groups, while high-frequency EA-treated rats displayed lower intromissions and ejaculation frequency when compared with those in controls. Furthermore, serum levels of 5-HT and LH in low-frequency EA-treated rats were higher than all the other groups. These results indicate that compared to high-frequency EA, the low-frequency EA might be efficacious in the treatment of premature ejaculation, thereby improving sexual behavior.
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