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Research ArticleNew Research, Cognition and Behavior

Sexually Dimorphic Vasopressin Cells Modulate Social Investigation and Communication in Sex-Specific Ways

Nicole Rigney, Jack Whylings, Michihiro Mieda, Geert J. de Vries and Aras Petrulis
eNeuro 15 January 2019, 6 (1) ENEURO.0415-18.2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/ENEURO.0415-18.2019
Nicole Rigney
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303,
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Jack Whylings
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303,
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Michihiro Mieda
Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan 920-1192
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Geert J. de Vries
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303,
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Aras Petrulis
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303,
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  • Figure 1.
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    Figure 1.

    AVP histology and experiment timeline. A, Cre-dependent AAV (AAV-flex-taCasp3-TEVp) and location of bilateral BNST injection site; coordinates: AP –0.01 mm; ML ±0.75 mm; DV 4.8 mm; modified from Paxinos and Franklin (2012). Timeline of experimental manipulations. B, Example images of fluorescent in situ hybridization (ISH)-labeled BNST AVP cells and boxplot of cell number. Within the BNST, a significant decrease in AVP cell label was observed in both iCre+ male and female mice compared to iCre– control animals (males: p = 0.00014; females: p = 0.0025). iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 11) males and iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 8) females. C, Example images of fluorescent ISH-labeled accessory nucleus-AVP cells and boxplot of cell number. No significant AVP cell loss was observed between iCre+ and iCre– subjects (males: p = 0.98; females: p = 0.89). iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 11) males and iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 8) females. D, Example images of fluorescent ISH-labeled PVN and boxplot of image intensity (arbitrary units). iCre+ and iCre– subjects did not differ in PVN signal intensity (males: t(20) = 0.66, p = 0.947; females: p = 0.29). iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 10) males and iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 8) females. E, Example images of Nissl-stained BNST tissue and boxplot of cell number. No difference in BNST cell number between iCre+ and iCre– subjects was observed (males: p = 0.439; females: p = 0.44). iCre– (n = 6) and iCre+ (n = 9) males and iCre– (n = 8) and iCre+ (n = 6) females. In boxplots, dots indicate individual data points, bold horizontal lines illustrate the median, the areas above and below the lines show the 1st/3rd quartile. The vertical bars range from the minimal to the maximal values excluding outliers (±1.35 SDs from interquartile range). Images were taken at 10× for fluorescent material and 20× for Nissl-stained tissue. Scale bar = 50 µm; ** indicates significant effect of genotype, p < 0.005.

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    Figure 2.

    BNST AVP cell ablations in iCre+ males reduced male-male social investigation. Boxplot and individual data points of time spent investigating male or female animals or their urine versus clean control stimuli within the three-chamber apparatus. A, B, Time spent investigating either a caged female versus a clean cage or a caged male versus clean cage. A, iCre– (males: n = 13, females: n = 13) and iCre+ mice (males: n = 11, females: n = 8) differed in preference for investigating the stimulus depending on the sex of stimulus (p = 0.003). Post hoc analysis revealed iCre+ males significantly decreased investigation of the male animal compared to iCre– littermates p = 0.004. B, iCre– and iCre+ females did not differ in investigation (p = 0.94). C, D, Time spent investigating either female urine or male urine versus saline control placed on filter paper. iCre– and iCre+ subjects did not differ in their investigation of female or male urine. C, Male subjects: p = 0.64. D, Female subjects: p = 0.10. Note scale difference in animal investigation time between male and female subjects; ** indicates significant effect of genotype, p = 0.004. Boxplot representations as in Figure 1.

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    Figure 3.

    BNST AVP cell ablations in iCre+ males increased UM to females. Boxplot and individual data points of UM in presence of males or females or their urine within the three-chamber apparatus. A, iCre– (males: n = 13, females: n = 13) and iCre+ mice (males: n = 11, females: n = 8) differed in UM depending on the sex of stimulus (p = 0.00015). Post hoc analysis revealed iCre+ males significantly increased UM to the female stimulus compared to iCre– littermates (p = 0.000112). B, iCre– and iCre+ females did not differ in UM to stimulus animals [p = 0.32 (males), p = 0.15 (females)]. C, D, UM with either female urine or male urine present. iCre– and iCre+ subjects did not differ in UM to female or male urine. C, Male subjects: p = 0.70. D, Female subjects: p = 0.467 (female stimulus), p = 0.858 (male stimulus); *** indicates significant effect of genotype, p = 0.00015. Boxplot representations as in Figure 1.

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    Figure 4.

    BNST AVP cell ablations in iCre+ animals did not alter USVs. Boxplot and individual data points of USV in presence of a male or female or their urine within the three-chamber apparatus. A, B, iCre– (males: n = 13, females: n = 13) and iCre+ mice (males: n = 11, females: n = 8) did not differ by genotype in USV production. A, Male subjects: p = 1.0 (female stimulus), p = 0.33 (male stimulus). B, Female subjects: p = 0.18 (female stimulus), p = 0.16 (male stimulus). C, D, USV with either female urine or male urine present. iCre– and iCre+ subjects did not differ in USVs to female or male urine. C, Male subjects: p = 0.77 (female stimulus), p = 0.5 (male stimulus). D, Female subjects: p = 0.26 (female stimulus), p = 0.49 (male stimulus). E, USV emitted by male mice were gammatone-transformed (200-ms window) and divided into 10 categories of calls based on spectrographic parameters. F, Male USV syllable type (iCre– n = 6; iCre+ n = 7). BNST-AVP ablations did not change the percentage of USV syllable types produced between genotypes. Boxplot representations as in Figure 1.

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    Figure 5.

    BNST AVP cell ablations in iCre+ animals did not influence anxiety-like behavior. Boxplot and individual data points of time spent in the open and closed arms within the EPM, number of stretch attends, and number of head dips. A, B, iCre– (males: n = 13, females: n = 13) and iCre+ mice (males: n = 11, females: n = 8) did not differ by genotype in time spent in open and closed arms. A, Male subjects: p = 0.11. B, Female subjects: p = 0.59. C, D, iCre– mice (males: n = 13, females: n = 13) and iCre+ mice (males: n = 11, females: n = 8) did not differ by genotype in number of stretch attends or head dips. C, Male subjects: p = 0.16. D, Female subjects: p = 0.38. Boxplot representations as in Figure 1.

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    Figure 6.

    BNST AVP cell ablations in iCre+ animals did not alter male copulatory behavior but did reduce mounting of females. Boxplot and individual data points of male subject’s latency to mount a female (A) or female subject’s latency to be mounted (B). Pie chart summarizing proportion of male subjects that ejaculated (C) or the proportion of female subjects mounted by a male (D) with number of subjects in each category indicated. A, C, iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 11) male mice did not differ by genotype in their latency to mount females or in the percentage of subjects ejaculating. B, D, iCre+ (n = 8) female mice were mounted at longer latencies (p = 0.03) and proportionally less (p < 0.000001) than iCre– (n = 13) females; * indicates significant effect of genotype, p = 0.03. Boxplot representations as in Figure 1.

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    Figure 7.

    BNST AVP cell ablation did not alter territorial aggression. A, Boxplot and individual data points of male subject’s latency to attack a subordinate intruder male. iCre– (n = 13) and iCre+ (n = 11) male mice did not differ by genotype in latency to attack the intruder (p = 0.955). B, Pie chart summarizing proportion of male subjects that attacked the subordinate intruder in their home cage with number of subjects in each category indicated. Subjects did not differ between genotypes (p = 0.85). Boxplot representations as in Figure 1.

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    Figure 8.

    BNST AVP cell ablations did not change the ability to discriminate between social odors. Time spent investigating water, almond or coconut extract, male urine, or female urine. A, Males and B, females of both genotypes were able to discriminate between male and female urine odors [A, males: p = 0.00001 (iCre−), p = 0.001 (iCre+); B, females: p = 0.002 (iCre−), p = 0.002 (iCre+)] and could distinguish between non-social and social odors [males: p < 0.00001 (iCre−), p = 0.003 (iCre+); p = 0.003 (iCre−), p = 0.0003 (iCre+)]. However, subjects’ ability to discriminate between non-social odors was not robust. Although both iCre+ and iCre− males discriminated between water and almond odor, females did not, and no subjects discriminated between the two non-social odors. Data are expressed as mean (±) SEM; trial numbers are given on the x-axis; * indicates significant difference (all p < 0.005) between investigation of odors, irrespective of genotype.

Tables

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    Table 1

    Statistical analysis

    FigureData structureType of testSample sizeStatistical data
    1B, AVP cell count in BNSTNormal distributionIndependent samples t testMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 11Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: p = 0.00014 (two-tailed), t = 4.57, df = 22; Cohen’s d = 2.64Females: p = 0.0025 (two-tailed), t = 3.58, df = 19; Cohen’s d = 2.02
    1C, AVP cell count in nearby accessory areaNormal distributionIndependent samples t testMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 11Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: p = 0.987 (two-tailed) t = –0.16, df = 22Females: p = 0.89 (two-tailed) t = –0.15, df = 19
    1D, AVP fluorescent intensity (au) in the PVN and cell count in the PVNNormal distributionIndependent samples t testMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Intensity (au) measurement:Males: p = 0.947 (two-tailed), t = 0.66, df = 20Females: p = 0.289 (two-tailed) t = –1.10, df = 19Cell counts:Males: p = 0.514 (two-tailed) t = 0.66, df = 20Females: p = 0.82 (two-tailed) t = 0.79, df = 19
    1E, Nissl cell count in BNSTNormal distributionIndependent samples t testMales: AVP-iCre– = 6 AVP-iCre+ = 9Females: AVP-iCre– = 8 AVP-iCre+ = 6Males: p = 0.439 (two-tailed), t = 0.79, df = 13Females: p = 0.44 (two-tailed), t = –0.80, df = 12
    2A,B, social investigation (live animal condition)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and two repeated measure [sex of stimulus, location of stimulus (two levels)], followed by independent samples t test with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 11Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 261.34, p = 1.0792E–13FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 0.62 , p = 0.438FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 5.89, p = 0.024FGENOTYPE × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 10.71, p = 0.003FSEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 59.35, p = 1.0976E-7FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 11.16, p = 0.003Investigation of female stimulus: p = 1.0 (two-tailed) t = –0.70, df = 22Investigation of male stimulus: p = 0.004 (two-tailed) t = 3.75, df = 22; Cohen’s d = 1.52Investigation of clean stimulus in female condition: p = 0.70 (two-tailed) t = –1.40, df = 22Investigation of clean stimulus in male condition: p = 1.0 (two-tailed) t = –0.92, df = 22Females:FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 55.92, p = 4.4965E-7FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 1.60 , p = 0.29FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 2.16, p = 0.161FGENOTYPE × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 11.58, p = 0.001FSEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 3.12, p = 0.09FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 0.004, p = 0.94Investigation of female stimulus: p = 0.33 (two-tailed) t = 1.82, df = 19Investigation of male stimulus: p = 0.51 (two-tailed) t = 0.67, df = 19Investigation of clean stimulus in female condition: p = 0.58 (two-tailed) t = 0.57, df = 19Investigation of clean stimulus in male condition: p = 0.06 (two-tailed) t = –2.69, df = 19
    2C,D, social investigation (urine condition)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and two repeated measure [sex of stimulus, location of stimulus (two levels)]Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 11Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 117.39, p = 2.7526E–10 FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 0.07 , p = 0.79 FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 1.31, p = 0.26 FGENOTYPE × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.05, p = 0.003 FSEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 59.35, p = 0.82 FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.22, p = 0.64 Females: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 60.33, p = 2.5924E-7 FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 2.9 , p = 0.10 FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 1.48, p = 0.161 FGENOTYPE × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 1.16, p = 0.30 FSEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 4.27, p = 0.53 FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × LOCATION OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 2.91, p = 0.10
    Table 2, social investigation (time spent in zones, live animal condition)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and two repeated measure [sex of stimulus, location of zone (two levels)]Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 15.68, p = 0.001 FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 0.0002 , p = 0.99FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 1.33, p = 0.26FGENOTYPE × ZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 0.01, p = 0.922FSEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 14.30, p = 0.001FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 0.13, p = 0.72Females:FZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 1.56, p = 0.23FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 1.70 , p = 0.21FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 2.32, p = 0.14FGENOTYPE × ZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 2.21, p = 0.15FSEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 6.73, p = 0.017FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 0.04, p = 0.85
    Table 2, social investigation (distance traveled, live animal condition)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and one repeated measure (sex of stimulus)Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 2.16, p = 0.16FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 3.48, p = 0.33FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.01, p = 0.92Females:FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 0.000043, p = 0.96FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 3.47, p = 0.08FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 0.01, p = 0.91
    Not shown, social investigation (time spent in zones, urine condition)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and two repeated measure [sex of stimulus, location of zone (two levels)]Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 0.07, p = 0.80FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 3.21 , p = 0.08FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.52, p = 0.48FGENOTYPE × ZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 0.75, p = 0.40FSEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 0.26, p = 0.61FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,22) = 0.56, p = 0.82Females:FZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 1.14, p = 0.30 FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 4.28 , p = 0.54FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 0.66, p = 0.43FGENOTYPE × ZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 5.10, p = 0.12FSEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 0.19, p = 0.67FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS × ZONE LOCATION(1,19) = 0.0003, p = 0.99
    Not shown, social investigation (distance traveled, urine condition)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and one repeated measure (sex of stimulus), followed by independent samples t test with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.73, p = 0.79FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 2.85, p = 0.11FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.70, p = 0.41Females:FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 0.15, p = 0.70FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 7.6, p = 0.012FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,19) = 0.33, p = 0.57distance traveled in male urine condition: p = 0.05 (two-tailed), t = –2.42, df = 19distance traveled in male urine condition: p = 0.19 (two-tailed), t = –1.93, df = 19
    3A,B, UM (live animal condition)Males: normal distribution Females: non-normalMales: mixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and one repeated measure (sex of stimulus), followed by independent samples t test with Bonferroni correctionFemales: Mann–Whitney U test, independent samples with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 52.62, p = 0.00000029FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 23.72, p = .000072FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 21.02, p = 0.000145UM to female stimulus: p = 0.000112 (two-tailed) t = –4.6, df = 22; Cohen’s d = 2.04UM to male stimulus: p = 0.16 (two-tailed) t = –1.45, df = 22Females:UM to female stimulus across genotype: p = 0.15 (two-tailed), U = 20UM to male stimulus across genotype: p = 0.32 (two-tailed), U = 32
    3C,D, UM (urine condition)Males: normal distribution Females: non-normalMales: mixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and one repeated measure (sex of stimulus)Females: Mann–Whitney U test, independent samples with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.53, p = 0.48FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 12.51, p = 0.002FGENOTYPE × SEX OF STIMULUS(1,22) = 0.16, p = 0.70Females:UM to female stimulus across genotype: p = 0.467 (two-tailed), U = 52UM to male stimulus across genotype: p = 0.858 (two-tailed), U = 32
    4A,B, USVs (live animal condition)Non-normalMann–Whitney U test, independent samples with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: USV to female stimulus across genotype: p = 1.0 (two sided), U = 64USV to male stimulus across genotype: p = 0.334 (two sided), U = 47Females: USV with male stimulus across genotype: p = 0.16 (two-tailed), U = 52USV to female stimulus across genotype: p = 0.18 (two-tailed), U = 58
    4E,F, USVs (live animal condition), syllable typeNon-normal/homogenousMann–Whitney U test, independent samples with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 6 AVP-iCre+ = 7Males: USV syllable type (all two-tailed):short: p = 0.14, U = 10, composite: p = 1.0, U = 22, downward: p = 0.63, U = 17,upward: p = 0.63, U = 17, 1 frequency jump: p = 0.45, U = 15, modulated: p = 0.37, U = 27, multiple frequency jumps: p = 0.63, U = 24.5, u-shape: p = 0.83, U = 19.5, flat: p = 0.73, U = 18,chevron: p = 0.08, U = 39
    4C,D, USVs (urine condition)Non-normalMann–Whitney U test, independent samples with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: USV to female stimulus across genotype: p = 0.77 (two sided), U = 60USV to male stimulus across genotype: p = 0.50 (two sided), U = 52Females: USV with male stimulus across genotype: p = 0.49 (two sided), U = 58USV to female stimulus across genotype: p = 0.26 (two sided), U = 60
    5A,B, EPM (open/closed arm measurements)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and one repeated measure (open/closed arm)Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FOPEN/CLOSED ARM(1,22) = 51.74, p = 7.826E-7FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 0.36 , p = 0.52FGENOTYPE × OPEN/CLOSED ARM(1,22) = 2.81, p = 0.11Females: FOPEN/CLOSED ARM(1,19) = 189.41, p = 2.477E-11FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 0.30 , p = 0.60FGENOTYPE × OPEN/CLOSED ARM(1,19) = 1.30, p = 0.59
    5C,D, EPM (additional anxiety measurements)Normal distributionMixed model analysis with one between-subject factor (genotype) and one repeated measure (stretch attends/head dips)Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: FSTRETCH ATTENDS/HEAD DIPS(1,22) = 262.1, p = 1.0479E-13FGENOTYPE(1,22) = 0.68 , p = .42FGENOTYPE × STRETCH ATTENDS/HEAD DIPS(1,22) = 3.90, p = 0.16Females: FSTRETCH ATTENDS/HEAD DIPS(1,19) = 33.82, p = 0.000016FGENOTYPE(1,19) = 2.03 , p = 0.17FGENOTYPE × STRETCH ATTENDS/HEAD DIPS(1,19) = 0.80, p = 0.382
    6A,B, sex behavior (latency to mount, number of female rejections)Normal distributionIndependent samples t test with Bonferroni correctionMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: latency to mount: p = 0.31 (two-tailed), t = 1.04, df = 22Females: latency to be mounted: p = 0.03 (two-tailed), t = –0.52, df = 19number of rejections: p = 0.61 (two-tailed), t = –0.52, df = 19
    6C,D, sex behavior (percent mounted)NAPearson’s χ2Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: Pearson’s χ2: p = 0.34Females: Pearson’s χ2: p = 1.2797E-27
    7A, aggressive behavior (latency)Non-normalMann–Whitney U test, independent samplesMales: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: latency to attack across genotype: p = 0.955 (two sided), U = 60Females: NA
    7B, aggressive behavior (percent attacking)NAPearson’s χ2Males: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 10Females: AVP-iCre– = 13 AVP-iCre+ = 8Males: Pearson’s χ2: p = 0.85 (two sided)Females: NA
    8A,B, odor discriminationNormal distributionPaired samples t test with Bonferroni correction between odorsMales: AVP-iCre– = 11 AVP-iCre+ = 5Females: AVP-iCre– = 5 AVP-iCre+ = 7Males (all two-tailed, iCre– df = 10, iCre+ df = 4):water (3) vs almond (1): t = 5.132, p = 0.0004 (iCre–), t(4) = 5.261, p = 0.006 (iCre+)almond (3) vs coconut (1): t = 1.21, p = 0.20 (iCre–), t = 1.725, p = 0.16 (iCre+)coconut (3) vs male urine (1): t = 11.41, p < 0.00001 (iCre–), t = 6.675, p = 0.003 (iCre+)male urine (3) vs female urine (1): t = 7.936, p = 0.00001 (iCre–), t = 8.313, p = 0.001 (iCre+)Females (all two-tailed, iCre– df = 10, iCre+ df = 4):water (3) vs almond (1): t = 1.431, p = 0.226 (iCre–), t = 1.56, p = 0.218 (iCre+)almond (3) vs coconut (1): t = 2.250, p = 0.09 (iCre–), t = 2.10, p = 0.10 (iCre+)coconut (3) vs male urine (1): t = 6.197, p = 0.003 (iCre–), t = 7.454, p = 0.0003 (iCre+)male urine (3) vs female urine (1): t = 7.071, p = 0.002 (iCre–), t = 5.211, p = 0.002 (iCre+)
    • View popup
    Table 2.

    Table of median (interquartile range) distance traveled and time spent in stimulus or clean cage chamber

    Male subjectsFemale subjects
    iCre–iCre+iCre–iCre+
    StimulusFemaleMaleFemaleMaleFemaleMaleFemaleMale
    Distance traveled (m)0.33 (0.22–0.54)0.32 (0.16–0.5)0.34 (0.19–0.48)0.29 (0.13–0.44)0.28 (0.08–0.38)0.23 (0.01–0.47)0.35 (0.16–0.42)0.34 (0.04–0.5)
    Time in stimulus chamber (s)185 (129–248)127 (78–195)175 (111–229)97 (15–209)174 (102–246)147 (30–227)155.75 (23–198)119 (91–155)
    Time in clean chamber (s)86 (45–122)127 (73–155)90 (49–158)130 (67–231)90 (43–176)113 (52–240)106 (48–170)136 (74–282)
    • iCre– and iCre+ mice did not differ in distance traveled, time spent in animal stimulus, or clean stimulus chambers.

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Sexually Dimorphic Vasopressin Cells Modulate Social Investigation and Communication in Sex-Specific Ways
Nicole Rigney, Jack Whylings, Michihiro Mieda, Geert J. de Vries, Aras Petrulis
eNeuro 15 January 2019, 6 (1) ENEURO.0415-18.2019; DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0415-18.2019

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Sexually Dimorphic Vasopressin Cells Modulate Social Investigation and Communication in Sex-Specific Ways
Nicole Rigney, Jack Whylings, Michihiro Mieda, Geert J. de Vries, Aras Petrulis
eNeuro 15 January 2019, 6 (1) ENEURO.0415-18.2019; DOI: 10.1523/ENEURO.0415-18.2019
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