FOR IMPROVING embryo development in buffalo, two experiments were conducted. The first one was carried out to evaluate the different concentrations (0, 5, 25, 50 ng/ml) of epidermal growth factors (EGF) on developmental competence of buffalo oocytes. The selected oocytes were cultured in the four concentrations of EGF. The embryo cleavage rate was significantly higher in oocytes exposed to 5, 25, 50 ng/ml EGF than control. There were no significant difference in four groups (0, 5, 25, 50 ng/ml EGF) in the rate of morula. But,  better  cleavage and blastocyst rates were observed at 5 ng/ml EGF. In the second experiment, the additive effect of 5 ng/ml EGF with 50 µM cysteamine on maturation and embryo development was studied.  Oocytes were collected, matured and cultured in three groups. In the first group, media supplemented with 5 ng/ml EGF + 50 µM cysteamine combination. In the second group, media supplemented with EGF. The third group was supplemented with cysteamine. There was a significant increase in cleavage rate in combination group than EGF (P< 0.05) and cysteamine (P< 0.01) groups. But there was no significant difference in cleavage rate between EGF and cysteamine. The morula percentage was nearly similar in the three groups. But blastocyst rate was significantly (P<0.05) higher in combination group than cysteamine. Thus better cleavage and blastocyst rate were observed at combination group. It is concluded that, the addition of 5 ng/ml EGF in buffalo oocytes during in vitro culture was the best concentration for embryo developmental competence. Higher cleavage and blastocyst rate were achieved by combination of epidermal growth factor and antioxidant.