Flavor preferences conditioned by intragastric glucose but not fructose or galactose in C57BL/6J mice

The present study determined if mice, like rats, differ in their flavor conditioning responses to intragastric (IG) infusions of three common monosaccharide sugars. In Experiment 1, C57BL/6J mice were trained to drink a flavored saccharin solution (the CS+) paired with intragastric (IG) self-infusions of 16% glucose, fructose or galactose and a different flavored solution (the CS−) paired with IG water infusions during 22 h/day training sessions. The glucose infusions increased CS+ intakes during training and produced a strong CS+ preference (~ 87%) in two-bottle choice tests. In contrast, the fructose and galactose infusions reduced CS training intakes and did not condition a CS+ preference. Experiment 2 determined if reducing fructose and galactose concentration would enhance conditioning. However, IG infusions of 8% sugar also failed to condition CS+ preferences. The robust conditioning response to IG glucose confirms results obtained with rats, but the indifference of mice to IG fructose and galactose contrasts with preference and avoidance responses observed in rats. The effectiveness of glucose to condition preferences suggests an important role for glucose-specific sensors rather than gut “sweet” taste receptors in the postoral modulation of carbohydrate appetite.

► Mice learned to prefer a flavor paired with intragastric infusions of 16% glucose. ► Intragastric infusions fructose or galactose did not condition a flavor preference. ► Postoral sugar conditioning is mediated by glucose-specific sensors.