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The neurohypophysial hormones of a chondrostean, the sturgeon (Acipenser sp.), have been purified by adsorption onto neurophysin, dissociation of the complex hormone-protein by trichloroacetic acid precipitation and isolation of active peptides, from the supernatant solution, by paper chromatoelectrophoresis. Arginine vasotocin has been characterized by amino acid composition, chromatographic and electrophoretic migrations and pharmacological properties as well. The amount of arginine vasotocin (about 50 nmol per g pituitary powder) is intermediary between those found for bony fishes about 1000 nmo]/g) and cartilaginous fishes (about 5 nmol/g). A second hormone, which can be classified in the oxytocin-likc type by its electrophoretic nigration and its pharmacological properties, has been disclosed. The very weak amount did not allow chemical identification. However the chromatographic behaviour and the pharmacological ‘profile’ indicate that this hormone differs from the six known oxytocin-like peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]