To address this issue, we used intersectional genetic techniques to selectively delete BNST AVP cells in mice and found that such lesions strongly reduced male-male social investigation, modulated aspects of male social communication (i.e., urine marking), and impaired female sexual behavior, without altering resident-intruder aggression, ultrasonic vocalizations, male copulation, or anxiety-related behaviors (106). This evidence concerns the gene AVP and Anxiety.