الفهرس 
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Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder that
is characterized by chronic hyperandrogenic ano vulation leading to symptoms
like hirsutism, acne, irregular menses, and infertility. Multiple metabolic and
cardiovascular risk factors are associated with PCOS, including insulin
resistance, obesity and hypertension. Despite extensive research, little is known
about the etiology of PCOS. The syndrome is associated with peripheral and
central factors that influence sympathetic nerve activity.
Many women with PCOS require prolonged treatment. Current
pharmacological approaches are effective but have adverse effects. Therefore,
non-pharmacological treatment strategies need to be evaluated. Clearly, EA can
affect PCOS via modulation of endogenous regulatory systems, including the sympathetic and the neuroendocrine systems.
Thus, in a trial to evaluate the role of EA as an alternative or
complementary treatment in PCOS, we assessed in the present work the effect
of true EA on body weight, pituitary gonadotrophins and ovarian hormones in
EV-induced PCOS rats.
The study was conducted on 40 adult female albino rats of average
weight between (200-270 gm). Rats were randomly divided into the following
groups: control group (Gp I) including 10 rats with no medications; PCOS
group (Gp II) including 30 rats subjected to EV-PCOS induction. One month
later PCOS rats were subdivided into: Gp IIa including 10 rats with no further
intervention for 4 weeks; Gp IIb including 10 rats treated with true EA for 4
weeks and Gp IIc including 10 rats treated with sham EA for 4 weeks. At the end of the experiment al protocol , body weight s were measured and blood
samples were collected from all experimental groups for assessment of serum
LH, FSH, estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels.
Our results revealed that, compared to the control group, PCOS induction
elevated significantly the body weight and the serum LH, E
2
and testosterone
levels by 24.03% , 194.89%, 238.92% and 118.62% ; lowered significantly the
serum FSH level by 68.38% although serum progesterone level showed no
significant difference. Interestingly, true EA treatment for 4 weeks lowered
significantly the body weight and the serum levels of LH, E2
and testosterone by
32.53, 36.11%, 37.27% and 39.75% respectively, while raised the serum FSH
level significantly by 147.13%, with no significant effect on serum progesterone
level compared to PCOS group. Although the marked improvement obtainedwith true EA maneuver, no complete recovery was observed and a significant
difference still existed regarding the serum LH, FSH and E
2
levels relative to
control group.
We can conclude that low frequency EA applied to specific acupoints
could be valuable as a complementary maneuver in the treatment of PCOS.