Objective To observe the effect of electroacupuncture(EA)on the hormones derived from the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary(HPO)axis

so as to explore the neuroendocrine mechanism induced by EA on rats with perimenopausal depression disorder.Methods Sixty female sprague-dawley rats were randomly divided into blank control group

model group

sham-operation(sham)group

clomipramine group

and electroacupuncture(EA)group

with 12 rats in each group.Perimenopausal depression model was established by bilateral ovariectomy combined with chronic unpredictable stimulation.The EA group received continuous treatment at"Baihui"(GV 20)

"Shenshu"(BL 23)and "Sanyinjiao"(SP 6)once a day for 28 days.Estrous cycle and sucrose preference test were monitored

and serum estradiol(E2)

luteinizing hormone(LH)

gonadotropin releasing hormone(GnRH)

andβ-endorphin(β-EP)were detected by ELISA.Results Compared to the blank control group

sugar water consumpution rates decreased in the model group and sham group(P<0.05).Compared to the blank group and sham group

the serum LH and GnRH levels increased(P<0.05)

companied with lower serum E2andβ-EP levels in the model group(P<0.05).Compared to the model group

sugar water consumpution rates increased in the clomipramine group and EA group(P<0.05)

both were companied with decreased serum LH and GnRH levels(P<0.05)

and higher serum E2andβ-EP levels(P<0.05).Conclusion Electroacupuncture can relieve the symptoms of rat with perimenopausal depression by regulating the hormone secretion in HPO axis.