Genetic variation in the vasopressin receptor 1a gene (AVPR1A) associates with pair-bonding behavior in humans.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Cross-sectional candidate gene association study in humans
PubMed 18765804 · doi:10.1073/pnas.0803081105
What was done
Researchers tested for an association between a repeat polymorphism (RS3) in the 5' flanking region of the vasopressin receptor 1a gene (AVPR1A) and pair-bonding behaviors in human males, including partner bonding, perceived marital problems, marital status, and partner-reported marital quality.
What was found
The abstract reports that the RS3 genotype in men was associated with measures of partner bonding, perceived marital problems, and marital status, and that male RS3 genotype also related to marital quality reported by spouses. The abstract provides no specific numerical values, sample sizes, effect sizes, or p-values.
Why it matters
It translates findings from animal models (voles) to humans, suggesting that genetic variation in the vasopressin system may play a role in human social attachment and pair-bonding.
Limits
The abstract provides no sample size, demographic information, allele distributions, or quantitative effect sizes. As a candidate gene association study, it carries risks of confounding and replication failure common to single-gene behavioral genetics, and observational associations cannot prove direct causality.
Cited by
- supports Men with specific vasopressin receptor gene polymorphisms that reduce vasopressin responsiveness have higher rates of being unmarried or divorced.