Publikationsdatenbank

Influence of acupuncture on semen quality in bulls - a pilot study (2005)

Art

Poster

Autoren

Arlt, S.

Drillich, M.

Heuwieser, W.

Kongress

9th Annual Conference of European Society for Domestic Animal Reproduction

Murcia/Spanien, 01. – 03.09.2005

Quelle

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene

Seiten: 355

ISSN: 0936-6768

Sprache

Englisch

Kontakt

Tierklinik für Fortpflanzung

Königsweg 65
Haus 27
14163 Berlin
+49 30 838 62618
fortpflanzungsklinik@vetmed.fu-berlin.de

Abstract / Zusammenfassung

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of acupuncture and moxa
treatment on fertility of hulls. In a pilot study six bulls with semen abnormalities
in volume (< 3 ml) and density (< I bn/ml) were submitted to acupuncture
treatment. Although Traditional Chinese Medicine requires individualised
treatments, the animals were treated with a fixed acupuncture protocol. This was
necessary because the individualised diagnostic by so called Shu-points in cattle
is difficult. Also a standard treatment ensured a comparable analysis of
treatment results. Furthermore, especially in the treatment of bulls it is important
to use acupuncture points that can he reached and stimulated innocuously.
Following acupuncture points were used: Bladder 23, Bladder 31, Kidney 3,
Governing Vessel 3 and Governing Vessel 4. The treatment course consisted of
three treatments for a period of three weeks. Stainless steel disposable needles
(0,5 mm x 0,7 mm) were inserted 2 to 4 cm deep for 20 Minutes. Moxa was
applied once at the acupuncture points Governing Vessel 3 and Governing
Vessel 4 by artemisia wool and miso paste. Analysis of the semen was
performed twice a week 28 days before, during and 22 days after the treatment
course. Statistical analysis showed no significant changes in volume, density and
motility of semen. Hence the introduced programme was not able to increase the
semen quality in the six bulls. Further studies are necessary to determine
whether a longer treatment course or using promising acupuncture points at the
linea alba are more effective.