Objective: To determine the effect and mechanism of ultrasound with different intensity on uterine contraction of pregnant rats and nerve injury of fetal rats. Methods: 32 pregnant rats were randomly divided into A(0) group, B(2) group, C(4) group and D (8) group, with 8 rats in each group. Rats in these groups were respectively received ultrasonic irradiation with different intensities of 0 W cm-2, 2 W cm-2, 4 W cm-2 and 8 W cm-2 for 20 min. The uterine contraction and ATPase activities of uterine smooth muscle were recorded in pregnant rats, and neuronal apoptosis and activities of cholinergic nervous system-related enzymes in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were detected in fetal rats. Results: Ultrasound increased frequency, amplitude, tension and activity of uterine contraction (P<0.05), and decreased the activities of Na+-K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and Ca2+-Mg2+ ATPase in uterine smooth muscle of pregnant rats (P<0.05). Ultrasound reduced Bcl-2 levels (P<0.05) and increased the levels of Bax and Caspase-3 (P<0.05) in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus of fetal rats. Results: Ultrasound promoted acetylcholinesterase activity, and reduced acetylcholine and acetylcholine transferase levels (P<0.05). Ultrasounds with 4 W cm-2 and 8 W cm-2 were more effective than with 2 W cm-2 ultrasound on the effect of these indicators. Conclusions: W cm-2 and 8 W cm-2 might promote the contraction of uterine smooth muscle in pregnant rats through reducing the activity of ATPases, and resulting in damage to cerebral cortex and hippocampal neurons of fetal rats, the mechanism may be associated with the imbalance of the cholinergic neuron system. 2 W cm-2 Ultrasound has little damage to fetal rat neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]