The production and content of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in various organs has not been fully investigated. In this study, mRNA and immunoreactive material (IRM) for HGF were investigated in order to speculate its role in various organs. Nineteen organs from adult Sprague-Dawley rats were excised and the contents of their mRNA and IRM for HGF were measured. They varied among various organs, found to be highest in the liver, Iung, and kidney. Although the gastrointestinal tract showed a modest expression of HGF, they were undetectable in the testis, skin, or skeletal muscle.