A single-step method for purification of mouse monoclonal antibodies directly from ascitic fluids using hydroxylapatite column chromatography is described. The procedure yields highly purified IgG or IgM antibodies. The purified immunoglobulin is essentially free of contaminating mouse albumin, transferrin, and other ascites proteins, as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Hydroxylapatite chromatography can also separate monoclonal IgG antibodies from contaminating IgG antibodies found in ascites fluid of animals that have been immunosuppressed prior to ascites induction. Furthermore, the evidence presented here suggests that some hybridomas of SP2/0 origin synthesize an extraneous light chain resulting in the secretion of hybrid antibody molecules.