Abstract: In order to study the effect of Lepidium meyenii (Maca) ethanol extract on endocrine hormone levels in blood serum of climacteric body,the naturally aged female rats were used as a model and randomly divided into low,medium and high dosage groups,positive and negative control groups.Maca ethanol extract were given to rats continuously by oral gavage for 90 days.The variations of body weight,organ index and endocrine hormone levels ［serum estradiol (E2),luteinizing hormone (LH),follicle stimulation hormone (FSH),testosterone (T),progesterone (P) and pituitary prolactin (PRL)］ in blood serum were then analyzed.As a result,the body weight was decreased by feeding with different dosages of Maca extract and the organ index of liver,spleen and kidney were higher than those of control group.The levels of T,LH and P in serum were significantly changed (P<0.05).The symptoms of menopause maybe alleviated by Maca ethanol extract through regulating the secretion and metabolism.

Key words: Maca, rat, climacteric syndrome, endocrine hormone