Objective:To research the effects of acupuncture manoeuvres of “regulating mentality and tonifying kidney”(RMTK) on the morphology and function of serotonergic neurons in the midbrain of climacteric rats. Methods: Forty five female Wistar rats (aged 16 months) were randomly divided into climacteric group ( n =15)

RMTK group ( n =15)

“reinforcing kidney and invigorating spleen”(RKIS) group ( n =15)

additionally

other 15 young female rats (4 months old) were made up of control group. In RMTK group

“Fengfu”(GV 16)

“Baihui" (GV 20)

“Qihai”(CV 6) and “Shenshu”(BL 23) were punctured

with the former two acupoints being stimulated by lifting

thrusting and twirling the needles with moderate amplitude

and the later two acupoints being stimulated with smaller amplitude. In RKIS group

“Shenshu”(BL 23)

“Zusanli”(ST 36) and “Sanyinjiao”(SP 6) were punctured and stimulated by lifting

thrusting and twirling the needles with small amplitude. The treatment was conducted once daily

continuously for 4 weeks. These rats’ brain tissues were cut into sections to be stained with immunocytochemical technique (SABC method). 5 HT like immunoreaction (IR) positive products were observed under microscope and assayed with computerized image processing system to determine the total area and the integrated optical density of 5 HT like IR positive substances in B 7 and B 8 of the midbrain. Results:Compared with the average area of IR positive products and the average integrated optical density of control group

those of climacteric group decreased significantly ( P <0.01)

suggesting a decline of 5 HT synthesis and secretion in B 7 and B 8 of the brain in climacteric rats. After administration of acupuncture

the average area of IR positive products and the average integrated optical density of RMTK group were markedly higher than those of climacteric and RKIS groups

suggesting that needling manoeuvres of “regulating mentality and tonifying kidney”are superior to those of “reinforcing kidney and invigorating spleen”needling in potentiating activity of serotonergic neurons including increase of the synthesis of 5 HT. Conclusion:Acupuncture intervention of “regulating mentality and tonifying kidney”technique may potentiate expression of serotonergic neurons in climacteric rats.