Abstract: the neurosecretory cells were studied in terms of cytology and primary culture in the MTXO of Eriocheir sinensis, and a practical method for primary culture of peptidergic neurons was set up.The peptidergic neurons, when dissociated from the MTXO, exhibited immediate outgrowth for 3-5 days and survived for 18 days or more in the defined medium supplemented with glutamine and antibiotics.The neurons could survive in some conditions involving changes of pH(7.0- 7.9).temperature(22℃- 28℃) and osmolarity (950- 1100mOsm).The outgrowth of the peptidergic neurons could be restrained in the Ca-free medium and blocked by Cd2+ (Cd2+ current blocker)in the medium.Three types of neurosecretory cells were distinguished on the basis of size, morphology, distribution, form of outgrowth and ultrastructure.There is an ultrastructural evidence that B, C types of neurosecretory cells have a rest phase in the development of Eriocheir sinensis.