With the development of global industrialization and the influence of smoking, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, sexually transmitted diseases, environmental pollution, drug abuse, and other factors, male fertility has decreased significantly. Jorgensen et al found that the sperm concentration of 20% of young people is lower than the recommended level of the World Health Organization, and the sperm concentration of 40% of young people cannot reach the optimal level. A good testicular environment is a necessary condition for sperm production and development. The feedback system consisting of the hypothalamus, the pituitary, and the testes is responsible for the correct secretion of male hormone and for normal spermatogenesis. The pathogenesis of asthenospermia is related to changes and/or destruction of the internal environment of spermatogenesis. Abnormal spermatozoa resulted from impaired spermatogenesis and maturation, obstruction of sperm transport ducts and abnormal gonads, accounting for the most common causes of male infertility. Unbalanced ratio of oxidant and antioxidant in seminal plasma make spermatozoa vulnerable to damage.
TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) define male infertility as a multifactorial disease with pathogenesis is associated with kidney, liver and spleen disorders. Correct differential diagnosis should be made by a specialist acupuncturist/herbalist and relevant Chinese herbs and Acupuncture prescription is given to the patient. Modern research suggests that the multisystemic approach of TCM can explain its positive outcome in the treatment of male infertility, which benefits of the multiple targeting strategy often provided by TCM remedies. Some TCM herbs commonly used for male fertility contain polypeptides and flavonoids to improve sperm health. In addition, growing evidence has revealed that TCM can not only regulate the reproductive endocrine system, but it can also regulate luteinizing hormone levels, raise testosterone levels, boost the function of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, prevent oxidative stress, modulate the proliferation and apoptosis of germ cells. Studies have shown a combination of TCM herbs with Vitamins effectively improved sperm parameters and increased pregnancy rate.