Background and Aims Reported rates of cannabis use among Canadian females are increasing. Female cannabis users progress to cannabis use disorder more rapidly than males (telescoping) and have higher rates of emotional disorder comorbidity. Addictive behaviors may change, along with mood and motivations, across the menstrual cycle (MC), particularly for females with pre‐menstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). This study aimed to determine whether increases in depressed mood and coping motives would predict increased cannabis use pre‐menstrually/menstrually, particularly among females with PMDD. We also assessed positive mood and enhancement motive ratings to establish specificity of predicted depressed mood and coping motive results. Design Observational study using data collected across 32 days using electronic daily diary methods. Setting Nova Scotia, Canada. Participants Sixty‐nine naturally cycling female cannabis users (Mean (M) age = 29.25, Standard Deviation  (SD) = 5.66) with and without retrospectively identified PMDD (via structured clinical interview) and prospectively identified PMDD (via elevated pre‐menstrual depressed mood). Self‐reported MC phase was validated using salivary progesterone concentrations. Measurements Depressed/positive mood, coping‐/enhancement‐motivated cannabis use, and cannabis use quantity. Findings Coping motives explained heightened cannabis use pre‐menstrually/menstrually in those with retrospectively identified PMDD. Depressed mood explained increased cannabis use menstrually in those with retrospectively/prospectively identified PMDD. Moreover, prospectively identified PMDD significantly moderated the relationship between depressed mood and cannabis use quantity menstrually. In those with prospectively identified PMDD, positive mood and enhancement motives were associated with decreased cannabis use during the follicular/ovulatory phases. Females with versus without retrospectively identified PMDD also displayed greater overall cannabis use quantity (M [SD] = 3.44[2.84] standard joint equivalents versus 1.85[1.82], respectively; U = 277.50, P = 0.008). Conclusions Depressed mood may explain heightened cannabis use menstrually in females with pre‐menstrual dysphoric disorder. Coping motives may explain heightened cannabis use pre‐menstrually/menstrually in females with retrospectively identified with pre‐menstrual dysphoric disorder.

The gut microbiome affects various physiological and psychological processes in animals and humans, and environmental influences profoundly impact its composition. Disorders such as anxiety, obesity, and inflammation have been associated with certain microbiome compositions, which may be modulated in early life. In 62 Long–Evans rats, we characterised the effects of lifelong Bifidobacterium longum R0175 and Lactobacillus helveticus R0052 administration—along with Western diet exposure—on later anxiety, metabolic consequences, and inflammation. We found that the probiotic formulation altered specific anxiety-like behaviours in adulthood. We further show distinct sex differences in metabolic measures. In females, probiotic treatment increased calorie intake and leptin levels without affecting body weight. In males, the probiotic seemed to mitigate the effects of Western diet on adult weight gain and calorie intake, without altering leptin levels. The greatest inflammatory response was seen in male, Western-diet-exposed, and probiotic-treated rats, which may be related to levels of specific steroid hormones in these groups. These results suggest that early-life probiotic supplementation and diet exposure can have particular implications on adult health in a sex-dependent manner, and highlight the need for further studies to examine the health outcomes of probiotic treatment in both sexes.

In the absence of established best practice standards in the probiotic field for reducing the risk of bacterial transfer between experimental groups, we developed protocols and methods to ensure the highest quality and interpretability of results from animal studies, even when performed in non-conventional animal care facilities. We describe easily implementable methods for reducing cross-contamination during animal housing, behavioural testing, and euthanasia, along with highlighting protocols for contamination detection in experimental subjects and laboratory areas using qPCR. In light of the high cross-contamination risks between animals during experiments involving probiotics, constant vigilance in animal care and research protocols is critical to ensure valid and reliable research findings.

Translational research (TR) is the movement of fundamental scientific discoveries into healthcare settings and population health policy, and parallels DOHaD research goals . Unfortunately, there is little guidance on how to become a translational researcher. To understand the opinions of DOHaD trainees towards TR, we conducted a workshop at the DOHaD World Congress 2022. We found that trainees were enthusiastic for their work to have translational impact, and that they feel that holistic, multidisciplinary solutions may lead to more generalisable research. However, there lacks support for TR career pathways, which may stall the execution of the long-term visions of the DOHaD agenda. We put forward recommendations for trainees to clarify their purpose in pursuing TR and for seeking relevant people and patronages to support their training. For mentors, training institutions and scientific societies, we recommend developing TR-specific programmes, and implementing training opportunities, networking events, and funding to support these endeavours.

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