Lack of correlation of free deoxypyridinoline excretion with Taq1 restriction length polymorphisms in the vitamin D receptor gene in males

An association between allelic variants in the vitamin D receptor gene and bone mineral density has been previously described. A bimodal variation in the rate of bone resorption (as measured by urinary deoxypyridinoline excretion rate) has also been reported. We have recruited male volunteers, to minimise variation associated with ovarian function, to investigate a possible connection between these observations. Allelic variants in the vitamin D receptor gene were identified as Taq1 restriction fragment length polymorphisms.The ratio of variants TT:Tt:tt occurred with a frequency of 34%:47%:17%. Excretion rates of urinary free deoxypyridinoline, measured by immunoassay, were compared in age-matched males from each genetic group. There were no significant differences based on the paired Student's t-test. Excretion rates declined with age ( P=0.04) and the best fit model fits the same regression line to each group. Genetic variation in the vitamin D receptor is not linked with differences in bone resorption rates.