Objective To compare their competence of olfactory epithel ial gl iacytes, olfactory globular nerve layer (OGNL) gl iacytes and SC in repair nerve defect of sciatic nerve, and select the best gl iacytes for repair of peri pheral nerve defect. Methods Olfactory epithel ial gl iacytes, OGNL gl iacytes and SC were extracted from 20 female Wistar rats aged 2-3 months and cultured in vitro for 2 weeks, then purified and condensed for transplantation. Eighty adult female Wistar rats were randomized into groups A, B, C and D (n=20). The left sciatic nerves were excised 25 mm axons and retained epineuriumlumen anastomosed to proximal ends. The culture mediums, SC, OGNL gl iacytes, and olfactory epithel ial gl iacytes weretransplanted into the epineurium lumen of groups A, B, C and D, respectively. Three months postoperatively, the injured sciatic nerve regeneration was evaluated by methods of macroscopic observation, photomicroscope, transmission electron microscope, retro-marked fluorescence transportation distance, the gl ial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and nerve growth factor (NGF) were assayed by immunofluorescence, and the myel in basic protein (MBP) and neurofilament (NF) protein were assayed by ELISA. Results The scores of ankle joint were (3.325 ± 0.963), (4.200 ± 1.005), (5.143 ± 0.635) and (5.950 ± 0.154) in groups A, B, C and D, respectively; showing statistically significant difference between groups (P lt; 0.05). The obse vations of gross, sections under microscope and transmission electron microscope showed the regeneration of defect nerve was best in group D, followed by group C, and group B was superior to group A. The transportation distance of retro-marked fluorescence was longest in group D, followed by group C, and group B was superior to group A. The concentrations of GFAP and NGF were largest in group D, followed by group C, and group B was superior to group A. The MBP concentrations were (9.817 ± 3.267), (12.347 ± 3.091), (14.937 ± 2.075) and (22.757 ± 0.871) ng/mL in groups A, B, C and D, respectively; showing statistically significant difference between other groups (P﹤0.05) except between group A and group B (P gt; 0.05). And the NF concentrations were (13.869 ± 5.677), (18.498 ± 3.889), (23.443 ± 2.260) and (27.610 ± 1.125) ng/mL in groups A, B, C and D, respectively; showing statistically significant difference between groups (P﹤0.05). Conclusion Olfactory epithel ial gl iacytes, OGNL gl iacytes and SC transplantation could repair injured nerve. The competence of olfactory epithel iums is superior to the OGNL gl iacytes andSC, and the OGNL gl iacytes is better than SC.