Kappa-opioid receptor agonists may have pharmacotherapeutic potential in the management of psychostimulant abuse, due to their ability to modulate dopamine receptor systems involved in drug reinforcement. kappa-Opioid receptor agonists also modulate dopamine receptor function in the hypothalamic tuberoinfundibular system, which has inhibitory control over an anterior pituitary hormone, prolactin. Prolactin levels may thus be a "biomarker" for the ability of kappa-opioid receptor agonists (e.g., (+)-(5 alpha,7 alpha,8 beta)-N-methyl-N-[7-(1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-oxaspiro[4.5]dec-8-yl]-benzeneacetamide (U69,593)) to modulate a dopamine receptor system in vivo in primates. The effectiveness of dopamine D(2)-like receptor agonists (quinpirole and (+/-)-7-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (7-OH-DPAT); 0.0032-0.1 mg/kg) in preventing U69,593-induced prolactin release was studied in intact female rhesus monkeys. Quinpirole and 7-OH-DPAT inhibited U69,593-induced prolactin release (ID(50) values: 0.013 and 0.0072 mg/kg, respectively). However, the dopamine D(1)-receptor agonist (+/-)-6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxy-3-allyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazapine (SKF 82958; 1 mg/kg) did not inhibit U69,593-induced prolactin release under the same conditions. In contrast, the largest doses of quinpirole or 7-OH-DPAT presently studied (0.1 mg/kg), did not decrease sedation caused by U69,593 (0.01, 0.032 mg/kg), a prominent effect of centrally penetrating kappa-opioid receptor agonists. The sedative effect of U69,593 (0.032 mg/kg) was prevented by naltrexone (0.32 mg/kg), consistent with kappa-opioid receptor mediation of this effect. These studies suggest that prolactin release is a valid biomarker for the ability of kappa-opioid receptor agonists to modulate dopamine D(2)-like receptor function, and may also be used to quantify dopamine D(2)-like receptor agonist potency in primates.