PURPOSE:To investigate the spatial and temporal relation of fibronectin(Fn),basic fibroblast growth factor(b-FGF)and astrocytes with the retinal vascular developmemt of human fatuses. METHODS:The retinas of 86 human fetuses from 13th week to 40th week were studied by immunohistochemical methods and light microscopy. RESULTS:Fn immunoreativity was localized in spindle cells ,vascular endothelial cells and extracellular matrix ahead of the spindle cells,vascular endothelial cells,ganglion cells and cone cells were b-FGF immunopositive. The b-FGF immunoreactivity in ganglion cells and cone cells appeared earlier than the vascularization nearby.Astrocytes migrated to ora serrata in close association with the spindle cells.and sent numerous processes to ensheath the blood vessels formed in two processes of retinal vascuiarlzation. CONCLUSION:These results suggest that Fn ,b-FGF and astrocytes were involved in modulating both of two processes of retinal vascularizalion. （Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis,1996,12:180-182）