Sucrose consumption in mice: major influence of two genetic loci affecting peripheral sensory responses

Individual variability in sucrose consumption is prominent in humans and other species. To investigate the genetic contribution to this complex behavior, we conducted behavioral, electrophysiological, and genetic studies, using male progeny of two inbred mouse strains (C57BL/6ByJ [B6] and 129/J [129]) and their F-2 hybrids. Two loci on Chromosome (Chr)4 were responsible for over 50% of the genetic variability in sucrose intake. These loci apparently modulated intake by altering peripheral neural responses to sucrose. One locus affected the response threshold, whereas the other affected the response magnitude. These findings suggest that the majority of difference in sucrose intake between male B6 and 129 mice is due to polymorphisms of two genes that influence receptor or peripheral nervous system activity.