Sex-dependent role of orexin deficiency in feeding behavior and affective state of mice following intermittent access to a Western diet – Implications for binge-like eating behavior

•Orexin deficiency in mice did not affect binge-like eating in either sex.•Orexin deficiency increased body weight and post-binge hypophagia mainly in females.•Orexin deficiency increased post-binge stress levels selectively in females.•Male wild-type mice showed post-binge anxiety, but orexin-deficient mice did not.•These results emphasize the sexual dimorphism of the orexin system.