Abstract: Poor ovarian response(POR) is a pathological state of ovarian stimulation to the gonadotropin (Gn), which leads to the poor outcome of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the low pregnancy rate in in-vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET). Nowadays there are also limitations of conventional therapy. As a vital part of traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture is economical, secure and easy to do. At present, the methods of clinical acupuncture for POR include the filiform needle acupuncture, the transcutanclus electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) and the acupuncture combined with medicine,etc. The basal hormone levels, symptoms of "kidney deficiency" and ovarian function were improved in those POR patients underwent acupuncture treatment, and the pregnancy rate and the quantity of oocytes were raised in their IVF-ET cycles. The underlying mechanisms of acupuncture treatment could include the positive regulation of central neuron, the improvement of hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, and the improved ovarian blood supply. In this review, the clinical research progress of acupuncture treatment of POR is summarized.

Key words: Fertilization in vitro, Superovulation, Ovarian function tests, Acupuncture therapy