Since the birth of the world’s first “test tube baby” in 1978 (“IVF” refers to the process of removing the egg and sperm from the body, forming a fertilized egg in a laboratory dish, growing it to a 4- to 8-cell embryo, and then transferring the resulting embryo into the woman’s This technique has been used by tens of millions of infertile couples to realize their dream of having children. Given its excellent performance, many doctors and patients have turned to it as a life-saving and ultimate solution to their fertility problems. It all seemed so simple and beautiful at first that mankind had the ability to intervene in the wonderful process of reproduction, and some even ventured to speculate that mankind could become artificial. The ancient Chinese knowledge of TCM is a huge medical treasure trove, and the eyes of reproductive medicine experts worldwide are turning to TCM without fail (currently, a number of large foreign reproductive centers are experimenting with acupuncture interventions in IVF cycles, such as the Korean Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation by Academician Han Jisheng). Although traditional Chinese medicine has accumulated a lot of experience in male/female (menstrual, fetal and obstetric) infertility and infertility, there is still a lot of research and experience needed on how to use Chinese medicine to intervene in IVF cycles and improve the success rate of IVF, but there is no doubt that Chinese medicine intervention in IVF will definitely inject a strong vitality into IVF technology. Chinese medicine intervention in IVF cycle is mainly reflected in the following aspects (note that these aspects are also the key factors affecting the success rate of IVF and should be the focus of attention for patients who have failed IVF several times): a. Improving ovarian function and egg quality Making high quality embryos is a key aspect of IVF. Good eggs and good sperm are the prerequisites for the formation of quality embryos, especially the quality of eggs is crucial. Eggs are produced by the ovaries and egg quality depends on ovarian function. However, the majority of patients treated with IVF-ET (in vitro fertilization) have suboptimal ovarian reserve capacity (e.g. advanced age >35 years; ovarian surgery; multiple in vitro fertilization). There is also a proportion of follicular depletion secondary to controlled superovulation. This is characterized by a decrease in sinus follicle count and an increase in FSH. Modern medicine often adopts artificial “de-escalation therapy”, i.e., using medication to lower the ovaries to stop ovulation and rest for a period of time, but this is a passive rest and has little therapeutic significance. Chinese medicine has some advantages in regulating ovarian function and improving ovarian reserve capacity. According to TCM, “the kidneys store essence and are the master of reproduction”. By tonifying the kidneys and filling the essence, the ovarian responsiveness can be increased and the quality of eggs can be improved. The common herbs used are: mulberry seeds (take the analogous phase), wolfberry, cuscuta seeds, zihejiang, amethyst, bacopa monniera, etc. The common formula is kidney ten flavors. While tonifying the kidneys, we should pay attention to replenishing blood and strengthening the spleen, because, essence and blood are of the same origin, the spleen is the origin of the posterior, the source of biochemistry, replenish the posterior to nourish the innate. The quality of the endometrium is the key factor affecting embryo implantation and maturation, which includes the thickness of the endometrium and the endometrial blood flow. There are many reasons for poor endometrial quality, such as estrogen imbalance or deficiency (premature ovarian failure), repeated abortions, scraping surgery that damages the endometrium, and controlled ovulation promotion that results in thick endometrium or unsynchronized development. Chinese medicine has unique advantages in increasing endometrial thickness especially in improving endometrial blood flow. The fundamental idea is to promote endometrial exfoliation, swell the uterus and push back reconstruction during menstruation; during follicular phase, nourish the kidney and blood to promote endometrial growth and increase endometrial thickness; before and after embryo implantation, warm the Yang and invigorate the blood to increase endometrial blood flow, improve endometrial microcirculation and enhance endometrial tolerance. Drug applications, such as angelica, astragalus, zihejiang, cistanches, and bone marrow can increase the thickness of endometrium; wulingxin, astragalus, blood dried, leech, and panax ginseng can improve uterine blood flow; swelling the uterus with motherwort, mitsubishi, curcuma, soapberry, peach kernel, and safflower, etc. Third, intervention of IVF cycle complications and conditioning of female body condition Due to the application of high dose of hormonal drugs in IVF cycle, patient’s nervousness, fear, excessive expectations, fear of IVF failure, and the impact of implantation of fetus on female physiology and internal environment, patients will have a series of physical discomfort reactions, which to some extent will also affect the embryo’s implantation and development. For example, skin allergy, itching, ascites, bloating before and after transplantation, frequent sexual dreams after transplantation, insomnia before and after transplantation, fever before and after transplantation, cold symptoms (itchy throat, sore throat, runny nose, headache) before and after transplantation, constipation, diarrhea, back pain before and after transplantation, and anxiety and tension. Modern medicine is often afraid of treating these concurrent symptoms and even unable to do anything about them. Traditional Chinese medicine takes a holistic approach and treats the patient with evidence, which can control the symptoms and improve the patient’s physical condition on the one hand, and take into account the patient’s reproductive requirements while tonifying the kidneys and calming the fetus on the other. For example, if ascites occurs due to ovarian hyperstimulation, TCM believes that blood and water are intertwined, treatment can be done with Zhen Wu Tang or Gui Zhi Fu Ling Tang, using Yi Mu Cao, Ze Di, Coix Seed, Gui Zhi and Fu Ling; for example, if fever occurs after implantation, TCM believes that it is due to blood deficiency and fever (not external fever), we can consider using Dang Gui Liu Huang Tang with Mai Dong and Sheng Shi Fu. IV. Promoting embryonic development, preserving fetus, treating early pregnancy reaction and pre-eclampsia miscarriage In vitro is the last option for treating infertility. Therefore, patients who undergo ET often have such and such defects. For example, over-sensitive uterus, poor luteal function, unsynchronized endometrial maturation after COH, etc., as well as facing early pregnancy reaction and pre-eclampsia (bleeding), are all factors that block the implantation rate and pregnancy rate. Modern medicine often uses HCG and progesterone to “preserve the pregnancy”, however, the results are not very satisfactory. Chinese medicine is particularly experienced in this area and has obvious advantages, which should be relayed in time. As the saying goes, if you eat well and sleep well, you will have a good baby. However, in fact, after embryo implantation, patients often have trouble eating, sleeping and being nervous due to worries and early pregnancy reactions, which can affect embryo implantation and development to some extent. However, modern medicine can do nothing about these, and can only psychologically comfort or wait and see what happens. However, modern medicine can do nothing about this, but can only provide psychological comfort or wait and see what happens. Chinese medicine helps to help the embryo to lay and preserve the fetus in several aspects: to promote the development of the embryo by promoting fetal energy; to nourish the kidneys and calm the mind and nourish the blood to promote the growth of the embryo; and to treat early pregnancy reactions (nausea, vomiting, etc.) by strengthening the spleen and stomach and regulating the qi as well as to stop bleeding and calm the fetus to treat preterm miscarriage. Blood-heat does not sit in the fetus; Blood deficiency does not nourish the fetus. The ancient Chinese medicine (Qing Dynasty Xu Ling Tui) believes that “the fetus only depends on blood to nourish, so after the fetus, the menstrual blood does not go, because the blood of the punch and the Ren are absorbed by the fetus, there is no blood left to go down. If the blood is insufficient, the fetus is depleted and fallen. The reason for the lack of blood is due to internal heat and fire, Yang and Yin deficit. Therefore, the ancient formula for nourishing the fetus, specializing in Scutellaria baicalensis as the main. And the blood of the birth, must be due to the spleen and stomach, so and white atractylodes adjuvant.” The basic formula for preserving the fetus is Shou Fetus Pill (Zhong Zhong Ginseng Xi Lu), which consists of Semen Cuscutae, Sang Sang Sang, Chuan Guan and Aconite, to nourish the kidney and nourish the blood to calm the fetus. If there is bleeding, add Ramie root and Phellodendron charcoal; if there is vomiting, add Chen Pi, Zhu Ru and Su Stem; if there is poor appetite, add Mu Xiang and Shen Qu; if there is insomnia and distress, add fried sour date palm and Fu Shen; in severe cases, add tortoise board, dragon bone and calamus. In this way, the heart will be at ease, the stomach will be harmonized, the blood will be nourished, and the kidneys will be nourished, so that the fetus will grow and the mother will be safe, and the pregnancy will be successful. Conclusion: Chinese medicine intervention in IVF is a practical and effective way to improve the success rate of IVF, in the process of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, Chinese medicine has outstanding advantages in some details, the ancient traditional Chinese medicine and modern IVF technology closely combined, the relay and heritage of Chinese medicine can not be ignored. Let’s walk a well-traveled path of IVF combining Chinese and Western medicine for the benefit of millions of infertile couples!