Objective To investigate features and significance of the temporal and spatial expression of GFAP and Vimentin in olfactory system of Xenopus from metamorphosis to adult. Methods Xenopus tadpoles from stage 48 to 63 were made into serial sections(20??m)by Cryostat,each contains the nose,the olfactory nerve,and the olfactory bulb.The immunohistochemistry staining was done on these sections by anti-GFAP and anti-Vimentin,and then observed by fluorescence microscope.Results Olfactory nerve showed very strongly GFAP-IR staining during metamophosis of Xenopus.In the olfactory bulb,GFAP-IR positive staining was found only in the nerve layer,but not in glomeruli.By contrast,Vimentin-IR decorated radial glia in the olfactory bulb but faintly stained the olfactory nerve.Conclusion GFAP and Vimentin present complementary staining patterns,GFAP is expressed in the peripheral olfactory system while vimentin is expressed in the central part of olfactory system.