A study conducted at a Swedish research institute concluded that a gene might be the reason why some men aren’t so enthusiastic with monogamy and won’t settle down.

Researchers found out that men can have zero, one, or two copies of the gene called allele 334. Of those involved in the study, men with two copies of the gene were less likely to get married and, if they were, they were more likely to have a marital crisis than men with one or zero copies of the monogamy gene. Furthermore, the female partners of the men who had two copies of the gene were more likely to be less content with their relationship.


The study was conducted by researchers at the Karolinska Institute in Stockholm, Sweden. Led by young researcher Hasse Walum, scientists analyzed various forms of the gene coding in 552 sets of twins. The findings of the study were published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

"There are, of course, many reasons why a person might have relationship problems," Walum told the BBC.

The so-called monogamy genes affect vasopressin, a hormone which affects voles' abilities to remain monogamous. Researchers didn’t find out how this happens but the variations in a section of the monogamy gene are clearly linked to how men tend to behave when involved in a relationship.  

"There is potentially an advantage if the objective is to survive and spread your genes,” said Walum about men with two copies of the monogamy gene.

“But there are advantages of being monogamous and having the support of a family. It's never a one way street,” he added.  

However, the female partners of men with two copies of the monogamy gene shouldn’t despair. It’s not like they are programmed to cheat, the genes only give the tendency, but when it comes to free will is up to the man and the decision he makes. The only thing underlined by the findings of the study is that certain people should be more careful and avoid temptation if they plan to stay in the relationship.