Purpose: To investigate the expression status of p53, Fas and bcl-2 in the development of retinal degeneration in C3H, rd and rds mice.Methods: Expression of p53, Fas and bcl-2 in the retina of rd,rds and C3H mice as well as in normal C3B mice in different periods was examined by immunohistochemical technique.Results: The expression of Fas and p53 was not detected in normal C3B mice. Fas and p53 were expressed in the ganglionic layer in the early stage and then in the inner nuclear layer, while the scale and intense increased in the ganglionic layer. There is no difference of bcl-2 expression between the normal mice and mice with retinal degeneration.Conclusion: Fas and p53 may be involved in the retinal cell death in rd, rds, and C3B,but bcl-2 may not. It is unknown why p53 and Fas appeared first in ganglion layer but not in the outer nuclear layer where retinal cells death was noticed in early stage.