Parotid salivas were collected from rats following electrical stimulation of either the sympathetic or parasympathetic nervous supplies. 2. The protein compositions of these salivas were compared using high performance ion-exchange chromatography (FPLC), SDS electrophoresis and biochemical assay. 3. Chromatography and electrophoresis indicated differences between the protein compositions of sympathetic and parasympathetic salivas. 4. Protein secretion derived solely from the exocytosis of parotid acinar cells cannot account for these differences.