Objective To explore the correlation between the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the promotor of hepatic l ipase (HL) gene and untraumatic avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH). Methods Between January 2007 and June 2009, 243 patients with ANFH were treated (case group), including 143 cases of steroid-induced, 79 cases of alchol-induced, and 21 cases of idiopathic. There were 156 males and 87 females with an age ranged from 16 to 64 years. Atotal of 96 normal individuals (matched for age, sex, and nation) served as control group. The blood sample of all subjects were collected to extract DNA. The promotor of HL was sequenced to find the SNP. A statistic on the frequencies of the genotype and the allele of the SNP was made. The frequencies of the genotype and the allele were analyzed with χ2 test according to case-control principle. Results The rs59644784 and rs1800588 were found in the sequenced region. It was accorded with Hardy-Weinbery genetic equil ibrium law in rs59644784 and rs1800588 of the control group and case group. There was no significant difference in the allele and genotype of rs59644784 and rs1800588 between the control group and case group (P gt; 0.05). The two SNPs existed complete l inkage disequil ibrium according to the l inkage disequil ibrium analysis. Conclusion The heterozygosity of the SNP is not consistency, and heterozygosity may be associated with the diversity of the race. ANFH is not associated with rs59644784 and rs1800588 SNPs.