Objective    To observe the postnatal development and perinatal electrophysiological characteristics of oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) in rats.     Methods    Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were applied to determine the expression of NG2 OPC in cerebral cortex and hippocampus at various developmental stages of SD rats. Electrophysiological characteristics of OPC were also recorded in slices of 7-day rats.     Results    The majority of hippocampal and cerebral OPC exhibited stellate shape

a small cell body with a few processus. Total population of the NG2 immunopositive OPC was numerous at P7d in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. OPC expressed in adult rats with slightly more quantity. Moreover

OPC in hippocampus of P7d rats typically exhibited small inward sodium current and weak active responses

whereas only outward potassium current and inactive responses were recorded in white matter OPC of P7d rats.     Conclusion    Total population of OPC and relative optical density of NG2 are the highest in P7d rats at the postnatal developmental stages. OPC in cerebrum and hippocampus of P7d rats displays electrophysiological heterogeneity.