OBJECTIVE: To study the association of the vitamin D receptor gene BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ genetic polymorphisms with bone mineral density and biochemical markers of bone turnover in postmenopausal women.METHODS: ①total of 576 postmenopausal Han ethnic women of 48-84 (62.17±6.37) years old in Fuzhou city were investigated, on the basis of their informed consent, through random sampling method from January 2007 to December 2008. ②The subjects were recorded regarding to their age, menopause duration, body mineral index and postmenopausal fracture incidence. ③Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used for measuring the bone mineral density of vertebrae L<,2-4>, left femoral neck, trochanter and Ward's triangle. ④The genetic polymorphisms of vitamin D receptor gene BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ were detected using polymerase chain reaction-rastriction and fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique. ⑤The biochemical markers of bone turnover (serum bone gla protein, serum bone alkaline phosphatase, urinary pyddinoline and urinary deoxypyridinoline) were detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: A total of 561 subjects up to standard were involved in the result analysis. ①There was no significant difference in bone mineral density among genotypes of vitamin D receptor gene BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ polymorphisms (P > 0.05). ②There was no significant difference in the biochemical markers of bone tumover among genotypes of BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ polymorphisms (P > 0.05). ③There was no significant difference in the incidence of osteoporosis among genotypes of BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ polymorphisms (P > 0.05). ④There was no significant difference in the incidence of postmenopausal fracture among genotypes of BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ polymorphisms (P > 0,05).CONCLUSION: BSM Ⅰ, TAQ Ⅰ and APA Ⅰ polymorphisms of the vitamin D receptor gene are not obviously associated with osteoporesis in postmenopausal women, and accordingly can not be taken as genetic markers of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women in Fuzhou.