Attenuated varicella-zoster virus(VZV) was cultured in human embryonic lung cells. The effects of serum type and its concentration on the production of VZV were studied. Regardless of cell culture conditions, VZV yield was increased with multiplicity of infection, and the total cell concentration was decreased after virus infection. The newborn calf serum, calf serum, or horse serum was not as good as the fetal bovine serum or calf serum supplemented with iron for the propagation of VZV in the human embryonic lung cells. The yields of total VZV(cell-associated virus and cell-free virus) in the medium with calf serum containing iron were comparable to those in the medium supplemented with fetal bovine serum. Furthermore, some components of serum appear to be important for the maintenance of VZV infectivity.