Objective To explore the factors which induce differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells. Methods Rat embryonic neural stem cells were co-cultured with newborn rat Schwann cells in serum-free medium. The phenotype and specific-markers including tubulin-β, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and galactorcerebroside (GalC), were domonstrated by phase contrast microscopy and double immunofluorescence staining. Results Overall, 80%±5% of neural stem cells protruded several elongated processes and expressed tubulin-β antigen at high levels, while 20±3% of them protruded several short processes and were GalC or GFAP positive. Conclusion The factors secreted by Schwann cells could induce rat embryonic neural stem cell to differentiate. Objective To explore the factors which induce which embryogenic neural stem cells which induce differentiation of embryonic neural stem cells. Methods Rat embryonic neural stem cells were co-cultured with newborn rat Schwann cells in serum-free medium. The phenotype and specific-markers including tubulin-beta, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and galactorcerebroside (GalC), were domonstrated by phase contrast microscopy and double immunofluorescence staining. Results Overall, 80% ± 5% of neural elongated cells protruded several elongated processes and expressed tubulin-β antigen at high levels, while 20 ± 3 % of them protruded several short processes and were GalC or GFAP positive. Conclusion The factors secreted by Schwann cells could induce rat embryonic neural stem cells to differentiate.