Objective: To verify the effect of Matrigel, a ECM complex from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) mouse sarcoma on the preimplantation development and apoptosis of mouse fertilized eggs. Method: Late pronucleus stage eggs were cultured through the blastocyst stage in the presence of Matrigel (0.5%, v/v). Characteristics of apoptosis and cell number assesed by Hoecst staining and TUNEL labeling at the blastocyst stage, respectively. Results: Morphological development, number of cells per embryo was significantly increased but rate and number of TUNEL positive nuclei of the embryo were decreased in the presence of Matrigel. Conclusion: This result suggested that at low concentration of Matrigel improves both viability and morphological development in the preimplantation mouse embryos.