Clinical observations suggest that copper (Cu) plays a role in regulating hematopoietic progenitor cell (HPC) development. Cu is known to generate oxidative stress in cells which in turn affects proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. To study this role of Cu, we used double staining flow cytometry to measure reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation by neonatal cord blood-derived CD34(+)CD38(-) cells. ROS was increased by Cu and was decreased by the Cu chelator tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). Previously, we showed that TEPA reduces the free Cu content of HPCs and stimulates their ex vivo expansion. The present results suggest that TEPA affects expansion of HPCs by lowering their oxidative stress.