Rat gastric antrum, duodenum, pancreas, and spleen were extracted in acetic acid, treated with acetone, and purified on a C-18 cartridge. These extracts, in a dose equivalent to one respective organ, were examined for CRF bioactivity in vitro using rat half pituitaries, with gastric antrum extract showing a significant CRF activity. The antrum extract showed a dose-related CRF activity in vitro using rat pituitary cell culture, and the dose-response curve appeared to be parallel with that of synthetic rat hypothalamic CRF. Subsequent ion-exchange chromatography on a SP-Sephadex column showed that antrum CRF coeluted with basic materials (SP-III fraction), while rat hypothalamic CRF coeluted with weakly basic materials (SP-II fraction). The SP-III fraction was further purified by gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. CRF activity was eluted in two areas: large mol wt fraction (10,000-15,000) and small mol wt fraction (1500-2000). Hypothalamic CRF was eluted between them. The CRF activities of the two fractions were completely abolished by trypsin digestion, suggesting a peptide nature. The large molecular weight fraction exhibited a steeper dose-response curve than the hypothalamic CRF in vitro using cell culture, and the response to a dose equivalent to two antra exceeded the maximum response exhibited by the hypothalamic CRF. However, the fraction failed to increase serum corticosterone when injected in pharmacologically blocked rats. On the other hand, the small molecular weight fraction showed a lesser CRF activity and a similar dose-response curve to that of the hypothalamic CRF as tested in vitro. This fraction significantly stimulated corticosterone secretion in vivo as well. The small molecular weight activity did not appear to be due to other peptides or amines which have been reported as causing ACTH release. Although the physiological roles of the small molecular weight antrum CRF are unknown, it is possible that this CRF plays a role during stress as a tissue CRF.