Abstract In order to understand the expression change of epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene and its distribution in tissue duringwound healing, 12 Winstar rats were divided into 4 groups. In each side of the back of every rat, 4 wounds of 1.5cm×1.5cm in size were made. After 4,8,12,16 days, one group of rats was sacrificed and tissues from wound were collected. By DIG-labelled probe hybridization in situ technique, EGF gene mRNA was detected. It was shown that EGF gene expression was evident during the whole stage of woundhealing, and the peak was in 8th day. It suggested that the promotion of EGF gene expression may lead to wound healing earlier.