Objective To investigate the effects of ectomesenchymalstem cells on hematopoiesis after total body irradiation in rats. Methods The primary ectomesenchymal stem cells were isolated from E11.5 SD fetal mandibular processes by 25g/L trypsin and cultured with DMEM/F12. The morphology and growthrate were observed by inverted microscope. Eighty SD male rats randomly dividedinto ectomesenchymal stem cells group (n=20), fibroblast group(n=20), saline group(n=20) and control group(n=20), the first three groups were irradiated with 60Co γ rays at 6.0 Gy. The number of their bone marrow nucleated cells was counted after 4 weeks; the forming ability of colony-forming unit-granulocyte macrophage(CFU-GM) and histopathology of bone marrow were also observed. Results The cultured cells displayed monolayer growth and fibroblast-like with 2-4 processes. The ectomesenchymal stem cells could increase the number of bone marrow nucleated cells and peripheral blood white cell count, and improve the forming ability of CFU-GM. After 4 weeks of transplantation, the number of the peripheral blood white cells in group A was more than that in groups B and C(Plt;0.05), the contents of Hb in groups A and D was significantly higher than those in groups B and C(Plt;0.0). After 4 weeks, the bone morrow nucleated cells in group A were significant more than those in groups B and C(Plt;001); CFU-GM in groups A and D was higher than that in groups B and C(Plt;0.01). Conclusion Ectomesenchymal stem cells have characteristics of stem cells. It may improve hematopoiesis recovery of irradiated rats.