Abstract
The arginine vasopressin receptor 2 (AVPR2) plays an important antidiuretic role in
regulating water balance to maintain osmotic equilibrium. The aim of this study was
to determine if there were any associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms
(SNPs), within the AVPR2 gene, and changes in serum sodium concentrations and/or body weight (BW) in Ironman
triathletes. Caucasian male triathletes who completed either the 2000, 2001 or 2006
South African Ironman Triathlons were genotyped (n=570) for at least one SNP. Pre-
and post-race serum [Na+] (pre n=514; post n=423) and BWs (pre n=556; post n=552) were measured. Triathletes
were divided into 3 groups according to their relative BW loss during the triathlon
(BW loss of 0–3, 3–5 and >5%). There was a significant linear trend (p=0.010, x2=6.7) for the distribution of minor haplotypes GCT, GTC and GCC across the 3 BW loss
groups. The >5% group had the highest percentage (4.7%) of triathletes with minor
haplotypes followed by the 3–5% (3.6%) and 3–0% (0%) groups. In conclusion, the minor
haplotype constructs of AVPR2 SNPs were associated with larger BW losses during the Ironman Triathlons. This finding
supports a possible genetic contribution to BW loss during endurance exercise events
acting through the argine vasopression system.
Key words
fluid balance - water homeostasis - electrolyte