Objective: To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture(EA) on the natural reward behavior and the related mechanism in depression rats.Methods: Thirty male SD rats were evenly randomized into control

model and EA groups.Depression model was established by using chronic stress stimulation including forced cool water swim

tail-clamping

fasting

electric shock

etc.

once daily

(21 days) altogether.One hour before stress stimulation in EA group

EA((2 Hz)

(2 mA)) was applied to "Baihui"(GV 20) and "Yintang"(EX-HN 3) for(20 min)

once daily

continuously for 21 days.The consumption of the rats' sucrose intake was detected before and after establishment of depression model.The rat's sexual behavior was recorded by calculating the times of mounting the female rat and sniffing female rat's pudendum in 15 minutes.Dopamine(DA) contents of frontal cortex

striate body and hypothalamus tissues were assayed by using high performance liquid chromatography electro-chemical detection technique.Results: Compared with control group

the male rats' sucrose intake amount

pudendum-sniffing times

DA contents of frontal cortex

striate body and hypothalamus tissues in model group decreased significantly(P<0.05

0.01);while compared with model group

the rats' sucrose intake amount

mounting and sniffing times and DA contents of the aforementioned 3 cerebral areas in EA group increased significantly(P<0.05).No significant differences were found between control and EA groups in sucrose intake amount

pudendum-sniffing times and DA contents of the 3 cerebral areas(P>0.05).Conclusion: EA can promote recovery of the rats' food rewarding and sexual reward and adjust the secretion of DA in depression rats.