The effects of quinpirole, a specific dopamine D2 receptor agonist, were investigated on cardiovascular responses and plasma levels of catecholamines and vasopressin in two groups of conscious dogs: (1) control dogs and (2) dogs with diabetes insipidus (i.e. animals surgically deprived of vasopressin). In normal dogs, i.v. quinpirole (30 micrograms/kg) elicited a decrease in blood pressure associated with a rise in both plasma catecholamine and vasopressin levels. In dogs with diabetes insipidus, i.v. quinpirole induced a more marked decrease in blood pressure than in normal dogs. Quinpirole did not change plasma noradrenaline and vasopressin levels in dogs with diabetes insipidus. The present study demonstrates that the decrease in blood pressure elicited by quinpirole is associated with an increase in vasopressin release, which counteracts the hypotensive effect of the the dopamine D2 receptor agonist.