To clarify the effect of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on proliferation of hepatic oval cells, we transferred HGF gene into liver of the Solt–Farber rat model. Male Fisher 344 rats were infected with a recombinant adenovirus carrying the cDNA for HGF (pAxCAHGF) from tail vein. HGF mRNA showed its peak at 4 days, and diminished thereafter. The total and proliferating cell nuclear antigen‐positive hepatic oval cells were significantly elevated in HGF‐transferred rats, in which stem cell factor and c‐kit mRNA increased at each time point. Our results suggest that in vivo transfer of the HGF gene into liver accelerates proliferation of hepatic oval cells in the Solt–Farber model in rats.