Objective： To quantitatively study the damage of hepatocyte mtDNA in rats with obstructive jaundice and to understand its relationship with the damage of mitochondrial function. Methods： Forty-eight Wistar rats were randomly divided into 2 groups, namely, sham-operation group and obstructive jaundice group （model group）. The obstructive jaundice model was induced by double ligation and section of the common bile duct. The changes of mitochondrial function were routinely assessed; the whole mtDNA and deleted mtDNA in hepatocytes were determined by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR. Results： Compared with sham-operation group, model group had reduced mitochondrial function and mtDNA copies （P〈0.01）. The deleted mtDNA was found in the model group but not in the sham operation group. With the continuation of the obstruction time, mtDNA copies decreased in the model group and the percentage of deleted mtDNA in the whole mtDNA copies increased （P〈0.01）, which was consistant to the deterioration of mitochondrial function. Conclusion： The damage of hepatocyte mtDNA is an important factor for the damage of mitochondrial function in rats with obstructive jaundice