We investigated the usage of basic fibroblast growth factor administration to promote the survival of the dopaminergic neurons and behavioral efficacy of fetal mesencephalic grafts in rat parkinsonian models induced by 6-hydroxydopamine. The authors made partial lesioned rat parkinsonian models in which there was destruction of the dopaminergic nigrostriatal pathway & sparing of the mesolimbic pathway. A basic firoblastic growth factor was given continuously by using osmotic minipump into the lateral ventricle of the rat parkinsonian model for 2 weeks. Twelve weeks after grafts, all of the fetal mesencephalic grafts with basic fibroblast growth factor showed enhancement of the survival of dopaminergic neurons as well as activity of tyrosine hydroxylase in the caudate-putamen. Also, they accelerated the recovery in the grafted animals in test of apomorphine-induced rotational behavior when compare with that of the fetal mesencephalic grafts alone. The levels of tyrosine hydroxylase activity in the caudate-putamen were significantly enhanced in the fetal mesencephalic grafts with basic fibroblast growth factor and basic fibroblast growth factor alone compared with the control group. Those rats with fetal mesencephalic grafts with/without basic fibroblast growth factor or basic fibroblast growth factor alone showed the recovery in tests of apomorphine-induced rotational behaviors. Our study suggests that the basic fibroblast growth factor may be a neurotrophic factor for dopaminergic neurons, or may act indirectly by inducing the release of a dopaminergic trophic factor from other sources.