1. The cardiac responses of isolated frog (Rana tigrina) atria to peptide hormones were studied. 2. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), arginine vasotocin (AVT), bovine parathyroid hormone fragment (bPTH-(1-34)) and oxytocin (OXY) produced dose-related positive chronotropic and inotropic responses; atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) was negative chronotropic and inotropic; cholecystokinin (CCK), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were without effects. 3. The dose-related responses under bPTH-(1-34) stimulation but not CGRP or AVT were attenuated in the presence of ANP (300 ng/ml, approximately 0.98 x 10(-7) M). As expected ANP decreased the basal AR and AT responses of the isolated atria and the inhibitory effects were dose-dependent. 4. As shown previously, propranolol blocked the atrial tension stimulated by bPTH (1-34) but did not alter the cardiac responses to CGRP and AVT. 5. In the presence of beta-adrenergic blocker (propranolol 10(-7) M) or ANP (10(-7) M), the AR and AT changes under ISO stimulation in the frog were also decreased. 6. These cardiac changes suggest the cardiac inhibitory effects of ANP are related to beta-adrenoceptor activity and ANP might be a beta antagonist.