Proliferation and death of hepatocytes in regenerating liver of 17-day white rat fetuses were investigated. During 2 days after liver resection (20%), animals were sacrificed every 3 h. In experimental groups, the index of Ki67-positive hepatocytes increased sharply in 15 h after liver resection. In all experimental and control groups, the ratio of the metaphase, the longest phase of mitosis, and index to mitotic index remained unchanged, indicating identical duration of hepatocytes mitoses in regenerating liver. In the regenerating and intact liver hepatocytes labeled with antibodies to caspase 3 were not detected. Thus, resection of 20% rat fetal liver did not contribute to increased apoptosis of hepatocytes.