A murine hybridoma (CC9C10) was adapted to grow in media containing alternative carbohydrates to glucose. Cell yields relative to the glucose-based culture decreased in order of the following supplements : glucose maltose > galactose > fructose = sorbitol = xylitol, although significant yields (> 50% of glucose control) were observed in all cultures. In the absence of glucose, glutamine consumption rates were enhanced significantly. Antibody production was directly related to the viable cell concentration in each culture and was independent of the phase of culture. A high specific antibody productivity (q(Mab)) was observed in the cultures containing the polyols, sorbitol, or xylitol, even though the cell yields and growth rates were lower than the glucose-based control. The measured q(Mab) in the xylitol culture was 5.6x that of the glucose culture and the volumetric yield of MAb was 29% higher.