TY - JOUR
T1 - Genetic variation in the vasopressin receptor 1a gene (AVPR1A) associates with pair-bonding behavior in humans
AU - Walum, Hasse
AU - Westberg, Lars
AU - Henningsson, Susanne
AU - Neiderhiser, Jenae M.
AU - Reiss, David
AU - Igl, Wilmar
AU - Ganiban, Jody M.
AU - Spotts, Erica L.
AU - Pedersen, Nancy L.
AU - Eriksson, Elias
AU - Lichtenstein, Paul
PY - 2008/9/16
Y1 - 2008/9/16
N2 - Pair-bonding has been suggested to be a critical factor in the evolutionary development of the social brain. The brain neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) exerts an important influence on pair-bonding behavior in voles. There is a strong association between a polymorphic repeat sequence in the 5′ flanking region of the gene (avpr1a) encoding one of the AVP receptor subtypes (V1aR), and proneness for monogamous behavior in males of this species. It is not yet known whether similar mechanisms are important also for human pair-bonding. Here, we report an association between one of the human AVPR1A repeat polymorphisms (RS3) and traits reflecting pair-bonding behavior in men, including partner bonding, perceived marital problems, and marital status, and show that the RS3 genotype of the males also affects marital quality as perceived by their spouses. These results suggest an association between a single gene and pair-bonding behavior in humans, and indicate that the well characterized influence of AVP on pair-bonding in voles may be of relevance also for humans.
AB - Pair-bonding has been suggested to be a critical factor in the evolutionary development of the social brain. The brain neuropeptide arginine vasopressin (AVP) exerts an important influence on pair-bonding behavior in voles. There is a strong association between a polymorphic repeat sequence in the 5′ flanking region of the gene (avpr1a) encoding one of the AVP receptor subtypes (V1aR), and proneness for monogamous behavior in males of this species. It is not yet known whether similar mechanisms are important also for human pair-bonding. Here, we report an association between one of the human AVPR1A repeat polymorphisms (RS3) and traits reflecting pair-bonding behavior in men, including partner bonding, perceived marital problems, and marital status, and show that the RS3 genotype of the males also affects marital quality as perceived by their spouses. These results suggest an association between a single gene and pair-bonding behavior in humans, and indicate that the well characterized influence of AVP on pair-bonding in voles may be of relevance also for humans.
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U2 - 10.1073/pnas.0803081105
DO - 10.1073/pnas.0803081105
M3 - Article
C2 - 18765804
AN - SCOPUS:52949113426
SN - 0027-8424
VL - 105
SP - 14153
EP - 14156
JO - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
JF - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
IS - 37
ER -