Reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to assay mRNA expression of TRAIl(the TNF related apoptosis inducing ligand) receptors (DR5, DcR1, and DcR2) in 3 cases of normal ovarian tissues, 6 cases of ovarian benign tumors, and 16 cases of ovarian cancers. Peripheral blood lymphocytes were used as a positive control. Positive expression of the DR5 and DcR1 were found in peripheral blood lymphocytes and 3 cases of normal ovaries. Positive expressions of the DR5 and DcR1 were 83.3%(5/6) in benign ovarian tumors and 68.8%(11/16) in ovarian cancers respectively. Positive expression of the DcR2 was only found in normal ovaries and benign tumors. These findings suggest that expression of different receptors may play an important role in the apoptosis regulation of ovarian tumors, especially DcR2.