P>Objective The mechanism of the influence on adrenal glands of the ovariectomy rats was studied by observing the expression of estrogen receptor subtype in adrenal glands of the rats. Methods Twenty adult female Wistar rats were divided into 2 groups:the shamoperated group(10 rats) and the model group(10 rats). After 6 weeks all rats were killed and the adrenal glands were excised, and the tissues in each group were studied with the method of immunohistochemistry. The level of estrogen(E2) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in blood serum was measured by radiation immunohistology. Results 1.Staining for ERα and ERβ were the densest in zona fasciculats and zona reticularis with lesser staining in the zona glomerulosa. ERα expressed weaker than ERβ. 2.ERβ expressed in the sham-operated groups and less intensity than in the model groups, it had statistically significant. 3.The level of FSH in the serum of the ovariectomy rats was increasing and the E2 was decreasing, there was great difference between the shamoperated groups and the model group. Conclusion The expression of either ERα or ERβ on the rat adrenal gland was obviously influenced by ovariectomy, espec