Genetic Diversity of Microsatellite RS3 in AVPR1a Promoter Region in Primates

The neurohypophyseal hormone Arginine Vasopressin (AVP) and its receptor type 1a (AVPR1a) play important roles in the modulation of social behaviors in mammals. RS3 microsatellites in the AVPR1a promoter region have been implicated in influencing social behavior. However, the relationship between RS3 diversity and social monogamy in primates is not clear. In this study, RS3 sequences from 18 primate species and 24 individuals were collected and aligned, and association between RS3 and social monogamy were analyzed. Though genetic diversity of RS3 was found in these animals, no significant association was observed here (P> 0.05). Results in this study enhance the appreciation of genetic diversity in the mammalian AVPR1a system, and set the stage for studies in the molecular diversity of the neurohypophysial hormones and social behavior in primates.