Female Infidelity Gene AVPR1A SNP Test

What is the Female Infidelity Gene?

The female infidelity gene is a genetic variant of the AVPR1A gene. The AVPR1A gene encodes a protein called arginine vasopressin receptor 1A. Five genetic changes in the AVPR1A gene are associated with an increased likelihood of extrapair mating or cheating in women. There is no evidence to suggest that these changes are linked to an increased risk of infidelity in males. However, a different variation (the RS3 334 allele) is associated with an increased likelihood of infidelity in males.

What is the Function of the Arginine Vasopressin Receptor 1A?

Vasopressin is a hormone or “chemical messenger” that promotes water retention in the kidneys and increases blood pressure. Most of these effects take place when vasopressin is released into the blood stream. Vasopressin can also be released directly into the brain and influence social and sexual behavior (such as infidelity). The arginine vasopressin receptor 1A binds vasopressin and transmits the signal into the cells.

Conditions Associated with the AVPR1A Gene

Genetic changes in AVPR1A are linked to an increased likelihood of infidelity in both men and women. Other changes in the AVPR1A gene are also associated with:

• Autism
• Altruistic behaviour
• Addictive behaviour
• Eating disorders
• Social behaviour such as sibling interactions

DNA Testing for the Infidelity Gene in Females

The AVPR1A gene is located on chromosome 12. We inherit two copies of the gene - one from each parent. A simple DNA test can be done to find out which forms of AVPR1A a person has inherited. The minor alleles (less common alleles) at these five markers in AVPR1A are linked to infidelity in women: rs10877970, rs10877969, rs3021529, rs11174811 and rs1587097. In a study of Finnish people, the minor allele frequencies ranged from 6.7 - 14.7%. The frequencies of these minor alleles is unknown for other populations.

If someone has inherited one or more copies of a minor allele, they have an increased likelihood of infidelity. The table below indicates the possible genotypes at each marker.

Recommended Links:

Meyer-Lindenberg A, Domes G, Kirsch P, Heinrichs M (2011). Oxytocin and vasopressin in the human brain: social neuropeptides for translational medicine. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 12: 524-538.

Zietsch BP, Westberg L, Santtila P, Jern P (2015). Genetic analysis of human extrapair mating: heritability, between-sex correlation, and receptor genes for vasopressin and oxytocin. Evolution and Human Behavior. 36(2): 130–136.

Prichard ZM, Mackinnon AJ, Jorm AF, Easteal S (2007). AVPR1A and OXTR polymorphisms are associated with sexual and reproductive behavioral phenotypes in humans. Hum Mutat. 28(11): 1150.