Objective To investigate the effect of changes of hormone on serum cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP) in women.Method Serum concentrations of estradiol(E2),follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH),CETP and serum lipids were determined in 196 women(52 premenopausal,57 perimenopausal,87 postmenopausal).Results Serum CETP concentration was lower in postmenpoausal women than that in perimenopausal and premenopausal women(P<0.0001).The mean level of E2 in postmenopausal women was significantly lower than that in premenopausal and perimenopausal women (P<0.0001),while the FSH level markedly increased(P<0.0001).Furthermore,the CETP concentrations positively correlated with serum concentration of E2,while negatively correlated with serum concentration of FSH and age.Conclusion Estrogen may affect the concentrations of CETP in serum.