Genetic and environmental contributions to the ingestion of sweet tastants (sucrose, glucose + saccharin) were examined using two complete diallel crosses of four inbred mouse strains, each replicated four times. Diallel sets differed only in regard to prior gustatory experience. One diallel set had a life history of 10$\sp{-1}$M sucrose solution as its sole source of fluid and the second set had water. In adulthood and while maintained on their respective treatment regimens, food and fluid intakes were measured for individuals of both sets. Mice were then subjected to a descending concentration series of sucrose solution versus water 48-h, two-bottle preference tests, followed by a single preference test using glucose + saccharin. Results indicated significant effects of both rearing history and genetic constitution on a variety of ingestive phenotypes. Relative to the number of food calories ingested by water-reared mice, those ingested by sucrose-reared mice decreased in direct compensation for calories obtained from fluid. Across multiple sucrose concentrations, sucrose-reared mice ingested and preferred sucrose significantly more than water-reared mice. This treatment effect, apparent for sucrose concentrations not yet reported as detectable by mice, also generalized to a novel sweet tastant, glucose + saccharin. Treatment effects also largely depended on mouse genotype. Genetic influences on sweet fluid ingestion were indicated as predominantly additive. For sweet preferences, low levels of dominance were detected among sucrose-reared mice only; for glucose + saccharin intake, dominance levels were higher for both treatment groups. Indications of large additive genetic effects, in combination with no, low, and/or ambidirectional dominance are consistent with an interpretation of an evolutionary history of stabilizing selection for sweet fluid / preferences and ingestions. Results indicating environmental modification of genetic predilections for sweets emphasizes the interactive contribution of genotype and environment to sweet ingestion phenotypes. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 50-03, Section: B, page: 0866. / Major Professor: Glayde Whitney. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--The Florida State University, 1988.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fsu.edu/oai:fsu.digital.flvc.org:fsu_77980 |
| Contributors | Maggio, John Charles., Florida State University |
| Source Sets | Florida State University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Text |
| Format | 207 p. |
| Rights | On campus use only. |
| Relation | Dissertation Abstracts International |
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