AIM: To investigate the role of estrogen on liver injury in an experimental obstructive jaundice model. METHODS: Three groups of female rats were constituted; group 1 was oophorectomized and given E2 (n = 14), group 2 was oophorectomized and given placebo (n = 14), and group 3 was sham operated (n = 14). Fourteen days following constitution of bile duct ligation, all groups were compared in terms of serum tests, histopathologic parameters, and tissue levels of IFN-γ, and IL-6. RESULTS: The parameters representing both the injury and/or the reactive response and healing were more pronounced in groups 1 and 2 (χ2 = 17. 2, χ2 =10. 20; χ2 = 12. 4, P < 0. 05). In the sham operated or E2 administered groups significantly lower tissue levels of IFN-γ, and higher IL-6 levels were found. In contrast, high IFN-γ, and low IL-6 tissue levels were found in the oophorectomized and placebo group (P < 0. 001). Kupffer cell alterations were observed to be more pronounced in the groups i and 3 (χ2 = 6. 13, P < 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that E2 impaired liver functions, accelerated both the liver damage and healing. In the conditions of bile duct obstruction, estrogen significantly changed the cytokine milieu in the liver.