Effect of Moxibustion on Aged Rats (Report 1)

Recovering the regular cyclicity by periodic moxibustion

Abstract

In order to studying the action mechanism of moxibustion from a viewpoint of the sexual periodicity, an experiment was attempted to ascertain whether the irregular estrous cycles were able to recover the regular cyclicity by preiodic moxibustion in rats ovariectomized and transplanted subcutaneously with the ovaries.
From the day of operation, two groups of the rats were given every four days subcutaneous injections of 2.0mg of progesterone, and 0.5mg of reserpine, respectively, for 40 days. one group of the rats were used as moxibustion animals. 5mg of moxa was every four days divided into 6 cones and they were treated by each 2 cones at right GB-25, left GB-25 and GV-20, respectively, for 40 days. Vaginal smears were recorded every day during the treatment period and subsequent 40 days. It is suggested that an isochronal 4-day rhythm appears to be established as early as about 10 to 20 days after the start of the moxibustion receiving animals and the results of experiment gave nearly agreement with the value that were given every four days injections of 2mg of progesterone, respectively, for 40 days.