title: Maltodextrin Acceptance and Preference in Eight Mouse Strains.
abstract: Rodents are strongly attracted to the taste(s) of maltodextrins. A first step toward discovery of the underlying genes involves identifying phenotypic differences among inbred strains of mice. To do this, we used 5-s brief-access tests and 48-h 2-bottle choice tests to survey the avidity for the maltodextrin, Maltrin M040, of mice from 8 inbred strains (129S1/SvImJ, A/J, CAST/EiJ, C57BL/6J, NOD/ShiLTJ, NZO/HlLtJ, PWK/PhJ, and WSB/EiJ). In brief-access tests, the CAST and PWK strains licked significantly less maltodextrin than equivalent concentrations of sucrose, whereas the other strains generally licked the 2 carbohydrates equally. Similarly, in 2-bottle choice tests, the CAST and PWK strains drank less 4% maltodextrin than 4% sucrose, whereas the other strains had similar intakes of these 2 solutions; the CAST and PWK strains did not differ from the C57, NOD, or NZO strains in 4% sucrose intake. In sum, we have identified strain variation in maltodextrin perception that is distinct from variation in sucrose perception. The phenotypic variation characterized here will aid in identifying genes responsible for maltodextrin acceptance. Our results identify C57 × PWK mice or NZO × CAST mice as informative crosses to produce segregating hybrids that will expose quantitative trait loci underlying maltodextrin acceptance and preference.
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA rpoole@monell.org.
authors.forename: Rachel L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Poole
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Tiffany R
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Aleman
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Hillary T
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.affiliation: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Tordoff
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005518:Food Preferences / Q000523:psychology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D040641:Quantitative Trait Loci; D013549:Sweetening Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013649:Taste / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D011134:Polysaccharides; D013549:Sweetening Agents; C008315:maltodextrin
keywords: 2-bottle choice test; Collaborative Cross; brief-access tests; gustometer; maltodextrin