OBJECTIVE To assess the influence of jaundice on the reproductive capacity and fetal development in rats. METHODS 60 sexually mature rats were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=30) - submitted to ligature of the biliopancreatic duct and Group 2 (n=30) -control- submitted only to sham operation. 23 days later, the animals were matted with sexually mature males for copulation. Vaginal smears were daily collected in order to verify the presence of spermatozoids and copula. The morphologic aspect of the ovaries and the corpi lutea diameter were studied. The morphology of the embryos of rats that became pregnant were assessed. Serum bilirubin levels were also determined. RESULTS It was observed that 23 rats of the control group (92%) and 11 jaundiced rats (39.3%) became pregnant (p=0,0002). The 17 rats with hyperbilirubinemia that did not become pregnant (60.7%) present only involutive corpi lutea and had suffered modifications in their estrous cycles, remaining some days in proestro or estro. The pregnant rats with hyperbilirubinemia did not presented corpi lutea alterations, however their embryos were abnormal. CONCLUSIONS In jaundice rats fertilization is viable, the reproductive capacity is intensive reduced, the estrus cycles becomes irregular, the corpi lutea is presented in regression, the gravidic lutea is not modified increasing gradually during the pregnancy and the fetal development is seriously impaired.