Figure 2.

Binge‐like EtOH consumption normalizes corticosterone (CORT) in female, but not male, β‐endorphin (β‐E) −/− mice. Plasma CORT levels obtained immediately following the day 4 binge test from β‐E +/+, +/− and −/− female and male mice consuming either EtOH and water (solid bars) or water controls (hatched bars). A three‐way ANOVA revealed a significant genotype by sex by treatment interaction. Post hoc analysis indicated that β‐E −/− female mice exhibit greater CORT than β‐E +/+ female and β‐E −/− male mice under basal conditions, but voluntary binge‐like EtOH consumption significantly reduces β‐E −/− female CORT levels to near wild‐type levels. Data are presented as means ± SEM; *P < 0.05 (Bonferroni corrected); n for each group are displayed within their respective bar