Objective To study the expression and cellular localization of STAT3 and SOCS-3 in the motor neurons of normal rat spinal cord. Methods Immunocytochemistry and morphometry methods were used in the present study. Results STAT3 immunocytochemical staining was mainly distributed in the cytoplasm of the motor neurons of the ventral horns, SOCS-3 immunoreactive products were extensively distributed in the neurons of the ventral and dorsal horns, glia and fibers of the spinal cord. In the ventral horn, SOCS-3 immunoreactivity was found in the nuclei and/or cytoplasm of the motor neurons.Conclusions STAT3 and SOCS-3 are extensively distributed in the normal adult rat spinal cord and SOCS-3 is existence in the forms of nuclear or cytoplasmic protein.