This report compares the effects of adrenalectomy and thyroidectomy, with and without hormone replacement, on loss of contractile protein ATPase activities. The rationale for this study was derived from the similarities in their intracellular receptors, mechanisms of action, and the large number of proteins regulated by both hormones. Rats were adrenalectomized, thyroidectomized, or both, and were subsequently treated for 6 weeks with hydrocortisone, triiodothyronine, or saline. Sham-operated rats were given saline for the same period of time. Six weeks of adrenal insufficiency resulted in diminished enzymatic activity of myofibrillar, Ca(2+)-activated myosin ATPase, and actin-activated myosin ATPase fractions. Treatment with hydrocortisone prevented the decline in enzymatic activity due to adrenalectomy. Likewise, thyroidectomy caused a loss of enzymatic activity which was prevented by treatment with triiodothyronine. The full deleterious effect of combined ablation could be partially prevented by treatment with either hydrocortisone or triiodothyronine, but the latter was most effective. The results suggest that hydrocortisone and triiodothyronine each had significant positive effects in the presence of the other, but not in its absence, on the activity of myofibrillar Ca(2+)-dependent Mg-ATPase and Ca(2+)-activated myosin ATPase. The effects of these two hormones on actin-activated myosin ATPase activity were more independent of each other. We conclude that the actions of thyroid and glucocorticoid hormones on the heart are interrelated and that optimum myocardial function results from their combined action.