Regulation of caloric intake in yellow mice (C57BL/6J-Ay/alpha).

The ability of yellow and normal black mice to reduce food intake when given surplus calories was studied to elucidate the mechanisms responsible for hyperphagia in yellow mice. When given sugar solutions to drink, immature (6–7 weeks old) yellow mice increased total caloric intake more than did lean control mice. Older (11–14 weeks) yellow mice were similar to control mice. The oldest yellow mice tested (25–33 weeks) increased total caloric intake less than lean control mice, when given sugar solutions. In contrast, yellow mice of all ages increased total caloric intake more than lean mice when given corn oil. Yellow mice had similar or lower preference for sugar and oil calories than did black mice.