In order to elucidate the function of non-obstructed hepatic lobe during partial cholestasis, we have examined the effects of selective biliary obstruction on the mitochondrial energy transducing system in rat liver. The non-ligated lobe became hypertrophic after ligation of the bile ducts that drained 90% of the liver, and there was no increase in the level of serum bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase activity, or bile acids. However, mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation function, specific enzymic activities of the oxidative phosphorylation complexes, and the subunit contents of these complexes were markedly decreased in the non-obstructed lobe at 4 weeks after the 90% biliary obstruction. There was no increase in the specific content of mitochondrial DNA. The mitochondrial energy transducing system in the non-obstructed lobes is not enhanced, but is significantly impaired during prolonged selective biliary obstruction, despite normal serum biochemical data and hypertrophy of the non-ligated lobe. These results imply early release of obstruction of cholestatic lobe, e.g. by biliary drainage, would be beneficial for maintaining the mitochondrial function in the non-cholestatic lobe.