Abstract: Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), a member of the EGF family, is synthesized as a membrane-anchored precursor (proHB-EGF) that is cleaved to yield a soluble HB-EGF by specific metalloproteases. ProHB-EGF is not only the precursor molecule for sHB-EGF but also a biologically active molecule itself. ProHB-EGF forms a complex with membrane proteins,which is localized at the cell±cell contact site, suggesting that proHB-EGF may function in cell-to-cell signaling by a juxtacrine mechanism. In an in vitro model system, proHB-EGF showed growth inhibitory activity, while sHB-EGF was growth stimulatory. All these characteristics attest that proHB-EGF and sHB-EGF work in different ways. In vivo functions of sHB-EGF and proHB-EGF have been undetined, but recent studies implicate that they play important role in a variety of physiological processes.HB-EGF has attracted more and more attention in reproductive endocrine domain，including mitosis and apoptosis of the corpus lutein cells，follicular development and embryo transfer.

Key words: HB-EGF, mitosis and apoptosis of the corpus lutein cells, follicular development, embryo transfer, reproductive medicine