Investigators have long known the gene that controls the hormone vasopressin is responsible for monogamy in prairie voles, small animals common in the grasslands of North America. 研究人员很早就知道，这种基因不仅控制抗利尿激素，也能使草原田鼠这种北美草原常见的小动物保持一夫一妻。
Virtually all vertebrates have an oxytocin-like nonapeptide hormone that supports reproductive functions and a vasopressin-like nonapeptide hormone involved in water regulation. 事实上所有脊椎动物都有有利于生殖功能的类似催产素的激素，以及水平衡的类似于抗利尿激素的激素。
