Sex differences and the lack of effects of chemogenetic manipulation of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons on alcohol consumption in male and female mice

•Female mice consume more alcohol and saccharin than male mice.•Chemogenetic manipulation of POMC neurons does not affect alcohol consumption.•Chemogenetic manipulation of POMC neurons does not affect saccharin consumption.•Chemogenetic manipulation of POMC neurons alters POMC-derived peptide expression.