In order to examine the effect of β-estradiol on the cell growth, using a primary rabbit kidney poximal tubule cell culture system. We investigated the effect of β-estradiol on alpha 1 (IV) collagen and β-actin mRNA levels from primary rabbit kidney cell cultures, and also the effects of 3 growth factors and β-estradiol supplementation on the growth of primary rabbit kidney proximal tubule cells in the serum-free medium. 1 nM of β-estradiol showed a sizable potentiation effect on the growth of the proximal tubule cell in serum-free medium, but higher concentration (> 10 nM) of estradiol indeed inhibited the growth. In the absence of hydrocortisone as a growth supplement in serum-free medium, β-estradiol caused to potentiate the growth of the cell. In the presence of hydrocortisone, β-estradiol also potentiated the growth of the proximal tubule cells. According to the Northern analysis, β-estradiol increased the level of β-actin mRNA, although mRNA level of the alpha I(IV) collagen was not changed significantly.