**11. Conclusions**

In summary, increased translation between the animal research and clinical studies in males and females on the social behavior roles of AVP and OXT has the potential to stimulate rapid progress in the development of effective treatments for stress related disorders, including PTSD, depression and anxiety, and addiction, as well as disorders which involve deficits in affiliation, such as autism. These treatments may involve pharmalogical interventions, modifications to current practices, social interventions, or a combination of approaches. Stress paradigms which are ethologically relevant to both animals and humans, such as social stress for studies of depression and addiction, may generate the most useful data. PTSD and postpartum depression are two disorders that may benefit greatly from AVP and OXT focused studies. Given the available literature on the substantial gender differences in the roles of AVP and OXT, continued research on these peptide hormones needs to include studies of both males and females.
