OBJECTIVE To investigate the protective effect of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Zusanli" (ST 36) in pregnant rats on lung dysplasia of newborn rats with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) induced by maternal food restriction. METHODS Twenty-four female SD rats were randomly divided into a control group, a control+EA group, a model group and a model+EA group, 6 rats in each group. From the 10th day into pregnancy to the time of delivery, the rats in the model group and the model+EA group were given with 50% dietary restriction to prepare IUGR model. From the 10th day into pregnancy to the time of delivery, the rats in the control+EA group and the model+EA group were treated with EA at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), once a day. The body weight of offspring rats was measured at birth, and the body weight and lung weight of offspring rats were measured on the 21st day after birth. The lung function was measured by small animal lung function detection system; the lung tissue morphology was observed by HE staining; the content of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in lung tissue was detected by ELISA. RESULTS Compared with the control group, the body weight at birth as well as the body weight, lung weight, lung dynamic compliance (Cdyn) and PPARγ at 21 days after birth in the model group were significantly decreased (P<0.01), and the peak inspiratory flow (PIF) and inspiratory resistance (RI) were significantly increased (P<0.01); the number of alveoli was significantly decreased, and the alveolar area and alveolar septal thickness were significantly increased, and some alveoli were ruptured and fused. Compared with the model group, the body weight at birth as well as the body weight, lung weight, Cdyn and PPARγ at 21 days after birth in the model+EA group were significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and the PIF and RI were significantly reduced (P<0.05); the number of alveoli was significantly increased, and the alveolar area and alveolar septal thickness were significantly reduced, and the rupture and fusion of alveolar was improved. CONCLUSIONS EA at "Zusanli" (ST 36) may protect the lung function and lung histomorphology changes by regulating the level of PPARγ of lung in IUGR rats induced by maternal food restriction.