Objective To investigate the effects of glycation pro ducts on growth and cytosoic free calcium (［Ca2+］i) of bovine retinal capillary pericytes. Methods The changes of growth and ［Ca2+］i of bovine retinal pericytes,which were cultured in early glycation products of bovine serum albumin (EG-BSA) and advanced glycation end products of bovine serum albumin (AGE-BSA),were studied by counting cell numbers,MTT colorimetric assay,［3H］thymidine incorporating,and fluorescent indicator fura-2 acetoxymeth1 ester (Fura-2AM). Results The number of alive pericytes in groups of EG-BSA and AGE-BSA were 17.87plusmn;2.36 and 14.77plusmn;3.72 which comparing with their control groups (20.54plusmn;0.82 and 20.31plusmn;0.93)were de creased 13．00% and 27．00% (Plt;0.01) by counting cell numbers on a counting plate after four days.The results were 0.4619plusmn;0.0946 and 0.3884plusmn;0.1031 which comparing with their control groups (0.5236plusmn;0.0539 and 0.5227plusmn;0.0519)were decreased 12．00% and 25.70% (Plt;0.01) by MTT colorimetric assay.Amount of ［3H］thymidine incorporating in groups of EG-BSA and AGE-BSA were 39450.16plusmn;887 0.68 and 33667.85plusmn;10581.70 which comparing with their control groups (56373.63plusmn;2317.97 and 56542.04plusmn;1961.23)were decreased 30．00% and 40.40% (Plt;0.01).The ［Ca2+］i concentration of pericytes in groups of EG-BSA and AGE-BSA were (129.55plusmn;30.41) nmol/L and (179.71plusmn;56.69) nmo l/L which comparing with their control groups ［(79.70plusmn;6.94) nmol/L and (83.plusmn;6.39) nmo l/L］ were increased to 163．00% and 214．00%. Conclusion Both EG-BSA and AGE-BSA can inhibit the proliferation and DNA syntheses of retinal capillary pericytes,and increased ［Ca2+］i concentration in pericytes,especially the AGE-BSA. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2000，16：139-212)