Objective:To investigate the effect of traditional chinese medicine Yikunning on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） in rat ovaries during perimenopause period. Methods:The animal model of perimenopause rats was established by unforced aging.30 female Wistar rats of 12 months old were randomly divided into three groups:old controls

western medicine controls

chinese medicine experimental group.10 female rats of 5 months old served as young controls.The animals were given with corresponding drugs for 4 weeks. The site-specific expression of VEGF in ovaries of rats was detected by immunohistochemistry; the quantitative expression of VEGF in ovaries of rats was detected by Western Blot;the quantitative expression of VEGF mRNA in ovaries of rats were detected by RT-PCR. Results:Compared with young controls

the expressions of VEGF mRNA in ovaries of old controls increased significantly

while the expressions of VEGF in ovaries of chinese medicine experimental group decreased significantly.The expression of VEGF164 mRNA and VEGF120 mRNA of the young controls

chinese medicine experimental group and western medicine controls were lower than the expression of VEGF mRNA of old controls（P<0.05）

which were consistent with the result of the expression of VEGF. Conclusions: Yikunning could down-regulate the expression of VEGF mRNA and protein in rat ovaries during perimenopause period

which may be one of the mechanisms of Yikunning to treat perimenopausal syndrome.