Gene Associated With Pair-Bonding In Animals Has Similar Effects In Human Males

�Variation in the gene for one of the receptors for the internal secretion vasopressin appears to be associated with how human males julian Bond with their partners, according to an international team of researchers.



The researchers establish that the "334" allelomorph of a common AVPR1A variation, the human version of avpr1a studied in voles, seemed to have negative personal effects on men's relationship with their spouses.



"Our findings are particularly interesting because they show that men wHO are in a comparatively stable relationship of basketball team years of more world Health Organization have one or iI copies of allele 334 appear to be less bonded to their partners than work force with other forms of this gene," says Jenae Neiderhiser, professor of psychology, Penn State. "We as well found that the distaff partners of men with one or two copies of allele 334 reported less heart, consensus and cohesion in the matrimony, but interestingly, did not report lower levels of marital satisfaction than women whose male partners had no copies of allele 334."



In voles, a mouselike animal, the comparable gene has been studied extensively and has long been linked to vole bonding behaviors. This is the first report to propose that the wealth of information on vole pair-bonding may besides apply to humans and may help to inform research on human disorders related to impaired social interactions and communication, such as autism.



A series of studies on vole populations, begun at the NIMH Intramural Research Program in the mid 1980s, showed that, in male rodents, variations in a section of the gene avpr1a affect social bonding behaviors, such as choosing a mate and parenting. The animal studies suggested a possible