Many previous studies have shown that different acupoints exert different effects at the brain slice level.It is difficult to isolate the relationship between the acupoint effect and the local channel,as well as to control the segmental distribution of spinal cord nerves.In vivo recordings of the electric activities of stress reaction neurons of the hypothalamus paraventricular nucleus (SRNPVN) to different acupoint stimulations can objectively report the afferent effects of acupuncture.Because acupuncture at specific acupoints can influence the behaviors and corticosterone levels in the peripheral blood,this study used an unpredictable chronic mild stress rat model to confirm that the recorded stress reaction neurons are indeed corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH)-like neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.The results showed that acupuncture at the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis had complementary acupoint- and meridian-specific regulatory effects.The specific acupoints included Shenshu (BL23),Ganshu (BL18),Qimen (LR14),Jingmen (GB25),Riyue (GB24),Zangmen (LR13),Dazu/(DU14),and the auricular concha.The specific meridians were the Gallbladder Meridian,Liver Meridian,and Do Meridian.Acupoints along the same neural segment of the adrenal gland had specific effects in the Bladder Meridia (mainly the Back-shu acupoint).These findings provide a new tool for researching the specificity of acupoints during modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortex axis function by acupuncture.