The study was performed to indicate the ADPase activity of 5'-nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDEase) from human umbilical cord blood serum and demonstrates the effect of this enzyme on ADP-induced platelet aggregation. The PDEase was purified by using p-nitrophenyl-5'-TMP as a substrate. The PDEase had a molecular weight of 128,000 daltons, and activity of 103 nmol/min/mg protein. The PDEase activity was inhibited by 5'-AMP, ADP, ATP. But 2'-AMP, 3'-AMP, 3':5' cAMP, and adenosine had no inhibiting effects. Kinetic analysis indicated that ADP was a competitive inhibitor with a Ki value of 4.05x10(-5) M. The enzyme was markedly inhibited by 1 mM EDTA. The ADPase activity of the PDEase was 7.79 nmol/min/mg protein. The hydrolized products of ADP by the PDE ase were AMP and phosphoric acid. The platelet aggregation by ADP was inhibited by the addition of the PDEase in the platelet-rich plasma.