In order to establish a model system of the murine hepatocyte infection by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), the primary cultured murine hepatocytes were obtained in a modified low serum medium system by a non perfusion method, and then infected by Smith strain MCMV. Infected hepatocytes showed characteristic cytopathic effect (CPE) at 30 h after infection, in which a large number of viral particles was found and ultrastructures were destroyed (as revealed by disappearance of bile canalicula and organelles) under the electron microscope and MCMV immediate early genes were detected by in situ hybridization. Meanwhile, infected cells produced albumin significantly less than corresponding uninfected controls. On the contrary, uninfected controls simultaneously cultured under the same conditions showed normal function and ultratructure (glycogen rosettes, bile canalicula, wheel like mitochondria and well developed rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula). These results demonstrated that a model system of primary cultured murine hepatocytes infected by MCMV was successfully set up. In order to establish a model system of the murine hepatocyte infection by murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), the primary cultured murine hepatocytes were obtained in a modified low serum medium system by a non perfusion method, and then infected by Smith strain MCMV. Infected hepatocytes showed characteristic cytopathic effect (CPE) at 30 h after infection, in which a large number of viral particles was found and ultrastructures were destroyed (as revealed by disappearance of bile canalicula and organelles) under the electron microscope and MCMV immediate early genes were detected by in On the contrary, uninfected controls simultaneously cultured under the same conditions showed normal function and ultratructure (glycogen rosettes, bile canalicula, wheel like mitochondria and well developed rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula). These result heard th at a model system of primary cultured murine hepatocytes infected by MCMV was successfully set up.