In mammalian intestine, the passive entry of Ca 2+ into enterocytes via the transient receptor potential vanilloid channel type 6 (TRPV6) is recognized to be an important rate-limiting entry step in maintaining Ca 2+ homeostasis. There is, however, little information on the expression patterns of TRPV6 in the laying hen and therefore this study investigated TRPV6 localization and expression in different intestinal segments and kidney of laying hens during peak lay. Immunohistochemical analysis of the intestine indicated that TRPV6 was localized to the brush-border membranes of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum, cecum, and rectum. Expression was weaker in the rectum and little or no expression was found in crypt and goblet cells. In addition, TRPV6 mRNA was quantified amongst different intestinal segments and expression was highest in the duodenum and jejunum. Furthermore, western blotting indicated that the duodenum expressed the greatest amount of TRPV6 and the rectum the least with the other segments expressing intermediate levels. In the kidney, distinct immunopositive staining for TRPV6 was detected at the apical domain of the distal convoluted tubules (DCT) and medullary connecting tubules (CNT). Interestingly, distribution of TRPV6 extended to the proximal convoluted tubules (PCT), which is not generally implicated in active Ca 2+ transcellular reabsorption. Furthermore, the kidney expressed lower TRPV6 mRNA (P<0.05) and protein levels compared to duodenum possibly implicating an important role for the TRPV5 homolog in the kidney. In conclusion, the epithelial Ca 2+ channel TRPV6 is strongly expressed in the apical cells of the entire intestine and the renal tubules suggesting that active Ca 2+ transcellular transport plays a crucial role in dietary calcium (re)absorption in laying hens.