Acupuncture regulates gut microbiota in mice with asthenozoospermia

The relationship between asthenozoospermia and gut microbiota is receiving increasing attention. The gut microbiota may have an impact on sperm quality by regulating the immune system, producing metabolites, affecting nutrient absorption, maintaining intestinal barrier function, and regulating hormone levels. Studies have shown that acupuncture is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine and has significant therapeutic effects on male infertility diseases such as asthenozoospermia. Research has shown that acupuncture may improve the testicular germ microenvironment, promote local blood supply, reduce oxidative stress damage, alleviate inflammatory reactions, and ultimately increase the quantity and quality of sperm by regulating various pathways such as the hypothalamic pituitary testicular gonadal axis. However, it is not clear whether acupuncture can improve asthenozoospermia by regulating gut microbiota. Therefore, we studied the possible mechanism of acupuncture in improving asthenozoospermia through fecal gut microbiota detection and analysis