Objective: To assess the arterial embolic effect and biocompatibility of the self-made small copper coils in experimental rabbits. Methods: Thirty New Zealand white rabbits were equally randomized into experimental group and control group. The terminal branches of the renal artery of the rabbits were embolized using the self-made copper coils (experimental group) or spring microcoils (Cook Inc) (control group) via a 3-F microcatheter, respectively. The vessel occlusion status and pathological changes were observed at different times after the embolization, and the laboratory parameters of the experimental animals before and after embolization were compared. Results: Angiography showed that the embolic effect in experimental group was inferior to that in control group at 30 min after embolization (P<0.05), but the embolic effect had no significant difference between the two groups at each time point from 3 d to 12 weeks after embolization (all P>0.05). After embolization, the renal gross morphological changes of the two groups were similar, and the thrombosis formation showed no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05), but the perivascular inflammatory response in experimental group was milder than that in control group (P<0.05). After embolization, the changes in parameters of liver and renal function showed no significant difference between the two groups (all P>0.05), and 2 weeks later they all returned to pre-procedure levels; the serum copper level in experimental group was increased within 2 weeks compared with preoperative level (all P<0.05), but returned to preoperative level after 4 weeks (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Self-made small copper coils have similar arterial embolic effect as spring microcoils, and, in addition, has higher biocompatibility.