This study was done for investigating the frequency and proliferative feature of mesenchymal stem/progenitor cells (MSPC) in human umbilical cord blood (CB) and for searching a new seed cell for tissue engineering. Mononuclear cells was separated by Ficoll-Hypaque from cord blood and suspended in DMEM culture medium supplemented by 2% fetal bovine serum. The adherent CB cells were cultured and expanded at same medium. The results showed that the frequency of CB-MSPC was 0.5 x 10(-6) [(0.2 - 0.8) x 10(-6)]. The CB-MSPC showed a fibroblast-like morphology and retained their morphological feature at least after 20 sub-passages, and could extensively be expanded by about 1.3 x 10(7) times as much. The conclusion is that low serum DMEM culture could maintain the proliferation and differentiation potential of CB-MSPC. CB-MSPC might be a favorable seed cell for tissue engineering and regeneration.