ABSTRACT We have used an immunofluorescent technique to localize type II insulin-like growth factor (IGF) receptors in rat liver, rat hepatocytes and three rat hepatoma cell lines (HTC, H-35 and 5123) using a polyclonal antibody (C-1) raised to purified rat liver type II IGF receptor. Specificity of the antiserum was confirmed by Western blotting of microsomal membranes prepared from hepatocytes and hepatoma cells which showed a single class of receptor in all cells, of M_r approximately 210 000 for hepatocytes, HTC and H-35 cells and approximately 220 000 for 5123 cells, on non-reduced, 4–15% polyacrylamide gradient gels. The specificity of the immunofluorescent technique was also verified by abolition of labelling after preincubation of antiserum with purified type II IGF receptor. Rat liver cryosections contained areas of juxtanuclear labelling in hepatocytes, consistent with the presence of type II IGF receptor in the Golgi region. Brightest immunofluorescence was seen in sections from fetal and neonatal rats with adult rat hepatocytes staining brightly only around central veins. Areas of labelling were also seen in connective tissue surrounding larger veins. Cultured adult rat hepatocytes and rat hepatoma cell lines also showed bright areas of juxtanuclear immunofluorescence, with HTC and H-35 cells staining more than 5123 and adult hepatocytes. Fetal rat hepatocytes in culture also labelled very brightly both in a juxtanuclear location and in small clusters over the cell, possibly on the cell surface. These observations indicate that type II IGF receptors are located predominantly on intracellular membranes and are most abundant in rapidly growing cells and tissues (such as fetal liver and hepatoma cells). Journal of Endocrinology (1989) 121, 221–227