Impact of Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation on BDNF Expression and IVF Outcomes in Patients with Infertility.

PurposeTranscutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) can be used in patients with infertility. This study explored the impact of TEAS on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes in patients with infertility.Patients and methodsThis quasi-experimental study included infertile women undergoing IVF and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) at one hospital between January 2018 and December 2021. The TEAS group received TEAS before IVF, while the placebo group received mock stimulation. The primary outcomes were serum and follicular fluid (FF) BDNF expression levels. Finally, 510 and 518 participants were included in TEAS and placebo groups.ResultsThe serum (P<0.001) and FF (P<0.001) BDNF expression levels were higher in the TEAS group than in the placebo group. The TEAS group had a lower total dose of gonadotropins (P=0.007), higher fertilization rates (P=0.006), higher high-quality embryo rates (P=0.013), and higher pregnancy rates per ET (P=0.031). The subgroup analysis showed that the Val/Val genotype was associated with the differences in serum and FF BDNF between the TEAS and placebo groups (all P<0.05).ConclusionIn conclusion, TEAS might increase serum and FF BDNF expression levels and improve IVF embryological and clinical outcomes. Patients with the Val/Val genotype might be more likely to benefit from TEAS.