During distraction osteogenesis, the angiogenic activity is crucial factor in the new bone formation. The aim of this study was to detect the autocrine growth activity in the cellular components of the distracted periosteum with observation of the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptors following the mandibular distraction osteogenesis. Unilateral mandibular distraction (0.5 mm twice per day for 10 days) was performed in six mongrel dogs. Two animals were sacrificed at 7, 14, and 28 days after completion of distraction, respectively. The distracted lingual periosteum was harvested and processed for immunohistochemical examinations. After then, we observed the expression of VEGF, Flt-1 (VEGFR-1), and Flk-1 (VEGFR-2) in the osteoblasts and immature mesenchymal cells of the distracted periosteum. At 7 days after distraction, the expression of VEGF and its receptors were significantly increased in the cellular components of the distracted periosteum. Up to 14 days following distraction, the increased expressions were maintained in the osteoblastic cells. At 28 days after distraction, the expression of VEGF and its receptors decreased, but VEGF was still expressed weak or moderate in the osteoblastic cells of distracted periosteum. The expression pattern of VEGF and its receptors shown here suggested that VEGF play an important role in the osteogenesis, and these osteoblastic cell-derived VEGF might act as autocrine growth factor during distraction osteogenesis. In the other word, the cellular components in the distracted periosteum, such as osteoblasts and immature mesenchymal cells, might have autocrine growth activity during distraction osteogenesis.