With the cDNA suppression subtraction hybridization method, a spikelet-specific cDNA library was constructed that expressed at meiosis stage in rice. A total of 121 cDNA fragments were selected from the library and used as EST (expressed sequence tags) markers to detect the polymorphism between Annong N, a normal fertile Indica rice line and Annong S-1, its spontaneous mutant with thermo-sensitive genic male sterility, using the RFLP (restriction fragment length polymorphism) technique. HN57, one of the EST probes, could detect polymorphism between them. The results of segregation analysis with the F2 population developed from Annong S-1 and Annong N indicate that HN57 co-seg- regates with the thermo-sensitive genic male-sterility controlled by tms5, the recessive gene in Annong S-1. This marker is located on the 31.2-cM region of the chromosome 2 of RGP (rice genome research program) genetic map. To further determine the location of tms5, 80 SSR (simple sequence repeat) markers around this region were developed, and 12 of them were polymorphic. And finally, the tms5 was mapped within region of 181 kb by using these new markers.