A New Species of Rhaponticoides (Asteraceae) from Southern Italy

A new diploid (2n?=?30) species, Rhaponticoides calabrica, is described from Calabria and Basilicata (southern Italy). This species differs from the closely related R. centaurium – an endemic of Apulia and northern Basilicata – by different flower colour (white in the former, purplish in the latter), width of membranous margin of phyllaries (1.8?±?0.4 mm vs 0.8?±?0.3 mm) and pappus length (6.8?±?0.9 mm vs 9.1?±?1.0 mm). The two species are completely allopatric and seem to have also different chromosome numbers.     

Understanding the Evolution of Multimorbidity: Evidences from the North West Adelaide Health Longitudinal Study (NWAHS)

Objective

The aim of this study is to describe the evolution of multimorbidity.

Study Design and Setting

Data from 1854 South Australians who participated in the North West Adelaide longitudinal Health Study(NWAHS) was collected between baseline (2000–2002) and follow-up (2008–2010). Status for eight chronic diseases (CDs) was determined by biomedical measurement or self-report. Chronic disease (CD) mean age of occurrence and order of appearance was investigated.

Results

The prevalence of multimorbidity increased from 32% to 64% during the 7.8±1.1 years of follow-up. The estimated mean age of onset of a new CD was significantly older for hypertension, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and younger for hypercholesterolemia, asthma and other mental problem. Hypercholesterolemia was more likely to develop as a first than as a subsequent CD (39%vs.16%, p<0.0001) while CVD (1%vs.5%, p<0.0001), diabetes (5%vs.11%, p<0.001) and COPD (6%vs.16%, p<0.0001) were less likely. The presence of mood disorders at baseline was associated with an increased risk of developing other mental disorders (36%vs.12%, p<0.0001), diabetes (18%vs.9%, p<0.01) and asthma (30%vs.21%, p<0.05).

Conclusion

Longitudinal data could be used to study the evolution of multimorbidity and could provide information on CDs mean age of occurrence, order of appearance and impact on the development of future CDs.     

Comparison of fatty acid composition in total lipid of diapause and non-diapause larvae of Cydia pomonella （Lepidoptera： Tortricidae）

Seasonal changes in the fatty acid composition of the total lipid extracted from the whole body of Cydia pomonella L. larvae were determined by gas chromatography. The six most abundant fatty acids in both non-diapause and diapause larvae of codling moth were oleic （35%-39%）, palmitic （23%-33%）, linoleic （16%-30%）, palmitoleic （5%-10%）, stearic （1.5%-3.0%） and linolenic acids （1.0%-2.5%）. This represents a typical complement of Lepidopteran fatty acids. The fatty acid composition of total lipid of C. pomonella larvae was related to diapause. In similarity to most other reports, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased in diapause initiation state. The total lipid of diapause larvae contained more linoleic acid （25.8% vs. 16.1%） and less palmitic acid （24.7% vs. 33.4%）, than that of non-diapause larvae. The weight percentage of linoleic acid （C 18：2） increased from 16% to 26% from early-August through early-September during transition to diapause, while palmitic acid （C16：0） decreased from 33% to 25% at the same time. These changes resulted in an increase in the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids （UFA/SFA） from 1.72 in non-diapause larvae to 2.63 in diapause larvae.     

Relationships estimated by isonymy among the Italo-Greco villages of southern Italy

Surnames of parents and grandparents were collected from 1993 children in the primary schools of the thirteen Italo-Greco communes that lie in two areas, four communes in Reggio Calabria in the "toe" of Italy and nine in Lecce in the "heel." The coefficients of relationship by isonymy show almost no relationship between the two areas. The smaller area in Reggio Calabria Province has consistently larger coefficients of relationship between communes than the larger area in Lecce Province. The difference can be ascribed to greater accumulated random isonymy in the smaller area. These populations are not genetic isolates, but each area shows a degree of cohesiveness with respect to surnames that suggests that they are genetically somewhat distinct. Contiguous pairs of communes tend to have higher coefficients of relationship than pairs of communes separated by intervening communes.     

Marriage system in the Italo-Albanians

The Italo-Albanian ethno-linguistic minority, living in 9 provinces of Southern Italy, has shown an increase of intermarriages with native Italian speaking individuals for the last decades of the 20th century. Marriage data was obtained through direct interviews of families of primary school students (6–13 years old). The information collected consisted of the birth place of parents and grandparents of each informant. The percentage values of intermarriages are about 25 in grandparents and 40 in parents.     

Factors differentiating infants identified by parents as problem sleepers,and those that are not

Sleep problems are common during infancy. Possible factors which contribute to parental perception of problem sleep were investigated as part of a pilot study collecting objective data on the sleep of 1-year-old New Zealand infants (n = 52 families). Sleep of each infant was monitored for a week at home (ankle actigraphy and sleep diaries, which also included daily infant mood ratings) and parents completed questionnaires addressing their infant’s sleep, the living and sleeping environment, and feeding. Thirty-five percent of the infants were considered by parents to have a sleeping problem. These infants had shorter night-time sleep as measured by actigraphy (median = 10.0 h vs 10.7 h for non-problem sleepers [U = 193.0, P < 0.05]), less total sleep per 24 h (median = 11.4 h vs 12.5 h [U = 169.5, P < 0.01]), and were put to bed more often per 24 h (median = 3.5 times vs 3.0 times [U = 201.5, P< 0.05]). Problem sleepers were also more likely to spend > 20 min awake at night (68% vs 32% [c2 = 16.78, P < 0.001]), as well as currently being breastfed (55% vs 45% [c2 = 5.97, P < 0.05]), and to have moderate-bad mood at bedtime (59% vs 41% [c2 = 6.54, P< 0.05]). Sleep was also related to parent’s diary ratings of their infant’s mood and temperament. This study highlights factors contributing to parental perception of problem sleep which is vital for recognizing and managing such problems throughout infancy.

     

Alcune caratteristiche strutturali dei cromosomi politenici del sospensore embrionale di Phaseolus coccineus in due momenti dell'embriogenesi

Abstract

Some features of polytene chromosomes of Phaseolus coccineus suspensor during two stages of early embryogenesis. – The distribution of DNA and RNA puffs in the whole genome of the giant cells of the Phaseolus coccineus embryo suspensor has been detected in two stages of embryo development. The collected data show that the chromosome regions showing the highest frequency of DNA puffs in both analysed stages are the following: i) band B (the fraction proximal to secondary constriction) of chromosome pair I and band E of chromosome pair V. When the two stages of development are however compared, it is seen that the % of DNA puffs in chromosome pair is at least double in suspensors dissected from the first stage of embryo development (86% in the first stage; 41% in the second stage). As to chromosome pair V band E organizes DNA puffs in 36% and in 50% of observed chromosomes in the first and second stage respectively; ii) band A of chromosome pair II, with a frequency of 52% (first stage) and 27% (second stage); iii) band E of chromosome pair VIII (27% in the first stage and 19% in the second stage). As far as the organization of RNA puffs is concerning it seems possible to outline the following values as the highest percentages:

a) First stage. chromosome b) Second stage. chromosome

I: band B 83% I: band B 91% VI: band E 55%

II: band A 70% II: band A 51% band G 50%

IV: band E 45% band C+D 59% VIII: band E 44%

V: band B+C 57% IV: band E 51% IX: band A 54%

band E 71% band G 51% band E 43%

VI: band E 53% band I 51% band F 53%

VIII: band E 43% V: band E 43%

IX: band E 42%

The differences observed between the two stages are discussed in relation to the function of the suspensor.     

Understanding biological conservation strategies: a molecular-genetic approach to the case of myrtle (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Myrtus communis</Emphasis> L.) in two Italian regions: Sardinia and Calabria

Myrtle (Myrtus communis L.), a shrub widespread in the Mediterranean area, is the only species belonging to the Myrtaceae family growing in Europe. The pharmacological and aromatic properties of myrtle have caused a growing interest in this plant. The use of myrtle as an aromatic plant is traditionally established in the Italian regions of Sardinia and Calabria, where it is subjected to an ecological stress due to the large biomass removal for liquor production and environmental damage. The reduction in size and number of wild populations is often related to a loss of genetic variation and reproductive potential. In this study fluorescent amplified fragment length polymorphisms (fAFLPs) were employed to assess the genetic variation within and among natural populations of myrtle from Sardinia and Calabria to gain new insights into their fitness and survival potential. AMOVA analysis indicated that genetic variation was greater within populations (51.86%) than among populations (16.99%), as previously reported for outcrossing species. A significant amount of variation (31.15%) was attributed to variation between Sardinia and Calabria population groups, suggesting a genotypic differentiation between the myrtle populations of these two regions. Intra-population genetic variation, assessed by estimating expected unbiased heterozygosity (H _E), ranged from 0.0595 to 0.2595. These values resulted correlated with population extension (r = 0.918; P < 0.01) and with two reproductive parameters: seed germinability (r = 0.793; P < 0.01) and number of seeds per fruit (r = 0.631; P < 0.05). A moderate gene flow among Sardinia myrtle populations and Calabria populations (1.2719 and 1.0478, respectively) counteracts the low level of genetic variation observed in some␣populations and avoids their differentiation and isolation.     

Interspecific variation in the growth response of plants to an elevated ambient CO2 concentration

The effect of a doubling in the atmospheric CO₂ concentration on the growth of vegetative whole plants was investigated. In a compilation of literature sources, the growth stimulation of 156 plant species was found to be on average 37%. This enhancement is small compared to what could be expected on the basis of CO₂-response curves of photosynthesis. The causes for this stimulation being so modest were investigated, partly on the basis of an experiment with 10 wild plant species. Both the source-sink relationship and size constraints on growth can cause the growth-stimulating effect to be transient.Data on the 156 plant species were used to explore interspecific variation in the response of plants to high CO₂. The growth stimulation was larger for C₃ species than for C₄ plants. However the difference in growth stimulation is not as large as expected as C₄ plants also significantly increased in weight (41% for C₃ vs. 22% for C₄). The few investigated CAM species were stimulated less in growth (15%) than the average C₄ species. Within the group of C₃ species, herbaceous crop plants responded more strongly than herbaceous wild species (58%vs. 35%) and potentially fast-growing wild species increased more in weight than slow-growing species (54%vs. 23%). C₃ species capable of symbiosis with N₂-fixing organisms had higher growth stimulations compared to other C₃ species. A common denominator in these 3 groups of more responsive C₃ plants might be their large sink strength. Finally, there was some tendency for herbaceous dicots to show a larger response than monocots. Thus, on the basis of this literature compilation, it is concluded that also within the group of C₃ species differences exist in the growth response to high CO₂.Abbreviations LAR leaf area ratio - LWR leaf weight ratio - NAR net assimilation rate - PS_a rate of photosynthesis per unit leaf area - RGR relative growth rate - RWR root weight ratio - SLA specific leaf area     

Activity of the antioxidant enzyme paraoxonase in Argentinean children living at high altitude

Background: Children living at high altitude in San Antonio de los Cobres (SAC), Argentina, were shown to have lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels than Buenos Aires (BA) children. HDL antioxidant capacity is mainly attributed to paraoxonase1 (PON1).

Objective: To compare PON1 activity in indigenous SAC vs. BA children.

Methods: A cross-sectional study compared 158 SAC vs. 97 BA children (6–16 years). Anthropometric data and lipoprotein profile were measured. PON1 was evaluated employing paraoxon (PON) and phenylacetate (ARE) activity.

Results: The prevalence of overweight/obesity was lower in SAC than in BA children (18.3 vs. 30.9%). Triglycerides (1.34 vs. 0.90?mmol/l), apo B (0.84 vs.0.72?g/l), apo A-I (1.33 vs. 1.27?g/l), and ARE activity (100 vs. 90?µmol/ml/min) were higher, while HDL-C (1.16 vs. 1.32?mmol/l) and PON activity (170 vs. 203?nmol/ml/min) were lower in SAC than in BA. Separate multiple linear regression analyses showed that SAC children had significantly higher triglyceride (Beta ?0.38), apo B (Beta ?0.34), and ARE (Beta ?0.36) plus lower HDL-C (Beta 0.33) and PON (Beta 0.25) compared with BA; adjusted for age, gender, and BMI.

Conclusion: SAC showed an unfavorable lipoprotein profile, lower PON and higher ARE activities compared with BA children, suggesting the presence of altered HDL metabolism and antioxidant capacity.     

The Cochlostoma (Holcopoma) westerlundi group in Italy (Caenogastropoda: Cochlostomatidae)

Currently, the Cochlostoma (Holcopoma) westerlundi (Paulucci, 1879) group includes three subspecies inhabiting southern Italy up to southeastern Sicily. C. w. westerlundi (Paulucci, 1879) is limited to southern Calabria, C. w. yapigium (Westerlund, 1885) is widespread across the Salento (the southeastern extremity of the Apulia region) and C. w. dionysii (Paulucci, 1879) is endemic to the environs of Siracusa (SE Sicily). There is also a fourth taxon, C. paganum (Westerlund, 1885) described for Otranto (LE, Apulia), considered a synonym of C. w. yapigium. Up to now, the molecular genetics of C. westerlundi s.l. have been unknown and the morphological data of several populations are still lacking. Hence, the systematic classification of the group is tentative. Aiming at filling this gap, mtDNA (16S rDNA and COI) partial sequences were investigated and, in addition, the reproductive apparatus of C. w. westerlundi was described for the first time. Molecular sequences and anatomical data were used to test the taxonomic and phylogenetic status of the examined populations. Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian analysis revealed three clusters, strongly supported, corresponding to the three taxa. For the first time, synonymy between paganum and yapigium was confirmed by molecular evidence. Genetic distances between groups (D_xyJC) ranged from 2.6% to 5% (16S rDNA) and from 6.3% to 8.3% (COI). Molecular and morphological data led us to suggest elevating the three subspecies to the species rank.     

An RFLP linkage map for loblolly pine based on a three-generation outbred pedigree

A genetic linkage map for loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) was constructed using segregation data from a three-generation outbred pedigree consisting of four grandparents, two parents, and 95 F₂ progeny. The map was based predominantly on restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) loci detected by cDNA probes. Sixty-five cDNA and three genomic DNA probes revealed 90 RFLP loci. Six polymorphic isozyme loci were also scored. One-fourth (24%) of the cDNA probes detected more than 1 segregating locus, an indication that multigene families are common in pines. As many as six alleles were observed at a single segregating locus among grandparents and it was not unusual for the progeny to segregate for three or four alleles per locus. Multipoint linkage analysis placed 73 RFLP and 2 isozyme loci into 20 linkage groups; the remaining 17 RFLP and 4 isozyme loci were unlinked. The mapped RFLP probes provide a new set of codominant markers for genetic analyses in loblolly pine.     

Helminth Communities of Owls (Strigiformes) Indicate Strong Biological and Ecological Differences from Birds of Prey (Accipitriformes and Falconiformes) in Southern Italy

We compared the helminth communities of 5 owl species from Calabria (Italy) and evaluated the effect of phylogenetic and ecological factors on community structure. Two host taxonomic scales were considered, i.e., owl species, and owls vs. birds of prey. The latter scale was dealt with by comparing the data here obtained with that of birds of prey from the same locality and with those published previously on owls and birds of prey from Galicia (Spain). A total of 19 helminth taxa were found in owls from Calabria. Statistical comparison showed only marginal differences between scops owls (Otus scops) and little owls (Athene noctua) and tawny owls (Strix aluco). It would indicate that all owl species are exposed to a common pool of ‘owl generalist’ helminth taxa, with quantitative differences being determined by differences in diet within a range of prey relatively narrow. In contrast, birds of prey from the same region exhibited strong differences because they feed on different and wider spectra of prey. In Calabria, owls can be separated as a whole from birds of prey with regard to the structure of their helminth communities while in Galicia helminths of owls represent a subset of those of birds of prey. This difference is related to the occurrence in Calabria, but not Galicia, of a pool of ‘owl specialist’ species. The wide geographical occurrence of these taxa suggest that local conditions may determine fundamental differences in the composition of local communities. Finally, in both Calabria and Galicia, helminth communities from owls were species-poor compared to those from sympatric birds of prey. However, birds of prey appear to share a greater pool of specific helmith taxa derived from cospeciation processes, and a greater potential exchange of parasites between them than with owls because of phylogenetic closeness.     

Survey of human pathogenic actinomycetes and fungi in soil from Rome and other Italian areas

As part of a study sponsored by the Ministry of Health of Italy, a research program on pathogenic actinomycetes, keratinophilic and pathogenic fungi in soil was carried out. Two hundred soil samples, collected from different areas of the city of Rome, Calabria, Emilia Romagna, Latium, Apulia, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany and Umbria, were examined by several techniques to detect the widest possible variety of pathogenic actinomycetes and fungi. Seven isolates ofNocardia asteroides, four ofActinomadura madurae and one ofNocardiopsis dassonvillei were isolated for the first time from soil in Italy. In addition, numerous isolates ofPetriellidium boydii, Aspergillus fumigatus, A. flavus, A. niger and keratinophilic fungi of the generaMicrosporum, Trichophyton andChrysosporium were also recovered.Presented at the VII Congress of the International Society for Human and Animal Mycology, Jerusalem, Israel, 11–16 March, 1979.     

Effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone on estrogen receptor messenger ribonucleic acid level in perifused pituitary cells

Summary 1. We examined the potential effect of GnRH pulses on pituitary estrogen receptor mRNA level.2. The treatment of perifused pituitary cell aggregates with four hourly pulses of GnRH (10 nM/1 min/h) resulted in a marked increase in the steady-state level of ER mRNA (25%vs unstimulated control, n = 3).3. No changes were observed for the LH ß mRNA. Data suggest, for the first time, that a cross-talk between the GnRH and nuclear ER may occur in the gonadotrope cells.     

Borderline Nuclear Abnormality In Cervical Smears: A Cytological Review of 200 Cases With Histological Correlation

The cervical cytology and histology specimens from 200 patients referred to colposcopy with borderline nuclear abnormality were reviewed. Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated changes were identified in 103 of 200 (53%) referral smears and in 139 of 150 (91%) biopsy specimens. Cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) was less frequently diagnosed on review compared with the original histopathology reports (30.7%vs 45.4%); the discrepancy was largely attributable to a lower incidence of CINI. There was agreement in the grading of borderline nuclear abnormality in 161 of 200 referral smears following review. Twenty-three smears were upgraded to mild dyskaryosis, whereas 16 were reclassified as negative.     

Italian Dermestidae: notes on some species and?an?updated checklist (Coleoptera)

An up-to-date checklist of the Italian Dermestidae is provided. The presence of 95 species in Italy is confirmed, while further 5 species (Dermestes (Dermestes) vorax Motschulsky, 1860, Thorictuspilosus Peyron, 1857, T. wasmanni Reitter, 1895, Attagenus (Attagenus) simonis Reitter, 1881 and Globicornis (G.) breviclavis (Reitter, 1878)) and 1 subspecies (A. (A.) tigrinus pulcher Faldermann, 1835) are excluded from the Italian fauna.Attagenus (Attagenus) calabricus Reitter, 1881 and A. (A.) lobatus Rosenhauer, 1856 are for the first time recorded from Abruzzi and Tuscany respectively; A. (A.) silvaticus Zhantiev, 1976 is recorded for the first time from mainland Italy (Apulia); Anthrenus (Anthrenus) angustefasciatus Ganglbauer, 1904 is new to northern Italy (Friuli-Venezia Giulia), central Italy (Tuscany), Apulia and Basilicata; A. (A.) munroi Hinton, 1943 is new to central Italy (Elba Island); A. (A.) delicatus Kiesenwetter, 1851 is for the first time recorded from Apulia; Globicornis (Globicornis) fasciata (Fairmaire & Brisout de Barneville, 1859) is new to southern Italy (Basilicata); G. (Hadrotoma) sulcata (C.N.F. Brisout de Barneville, 1866) is for the first time recorded from central Italy (Abruzzi), Campania and Sicily, whileTrogoderma inclusum LeConte, 1854 is new to Apulia.Seven species (Dermestes (Dermestes) peruvianus Laporte de Castelnau, 1840, D. (Dermestinus) carnivorus Fabricius, 1775, D. (Dermestinus) hankae Háva, 1999, D. (Dermestinus) intermedius intermedius Kalík, 1951, D. (Dermestinus) szekessyi Kalík, 1950, Anthrenus (Anthrenops) coloratus Reitter, 1881 and Trogodermaangustum (Solier, 1849)) recently recorded from Italy (without further details) are discussed.The lectotype and a paralectotype are designated forAttagenus (A.) calabricus Reitter, 1881 from Calabria.Attagenus pellio (Linnaeus, 1758) var. pilosissimus Roubal, 1932 is removed from synonymy with A. (A.) pellio and recognized as a valid species (stat. prom.); it is known from Lombardy, Apulia and Calabria.     

Ancestral feeding and survival of offspring in European corn borer

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence of ancestral adult feeding by European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), on larval survival in the field and neonate movement behavior in laboratory. Larval survival was higher when either the grandparental or parental generation had fed, but the feeding sites of the surviving larvae were not affected by ancestral feeding condition. This is the first evidence that grandparental feeding could influence larval survival in the field. Larval movement was observed in the laboratory. Silking speed of neonates was faster when either grandparents or parents had fed, while walking speed was faster only when parents had fed. No broad-sense genetic correlation was found between silking speed and walking speed. Broad-sense heritability among feeding histories were not significant for silking speed, but was significantly greater than zero for walking speed when grandparents fed and parents did not. These intergenerational effects could induce complex population dynamics in this species.     

Prevalence of Suicide Attempts among College Students in China: A Meta-Analysis

BackgroundSuicide is the leading cause of death among 15–34 year olds in China, but no national data are available on the suicide and suicide attempts rates of college students, a sub-group of youth with 23 million. Several studies have reported the prevalence of suicide attempts among college students, however, no meta-analysis pooling the prevalence of suicide attempts is found.ResultsA total of 29 eligible studies, with 88,225 college students, were finally included. The maximum and minimum reported prevalences of suicide attempts among college students in China were 0.4% and 10.5%, respectively. The pooled prevalence of suicide attempts was 2.8% (95%CI: 2.3%–3.3%). Subgroup analyses showed that the pooled estimate of prevalence of life time suicide attempts was 2.7% (95%CI: 2.1%–3.3%), and 12-month suicide attempts was 2.9% (95%CI: 2.0%–3.8%). The prevalence for males was 2.4% (95%CI: 1.8%–3.0%), and for females was 2.7% (95%CI: 1.9%–3.7%). The prevalences among college students in grade 1 through 4 were 2.8% (95%CI: 1.7%–3.8%), 1.8% (95%CI: 1.2%–2.3%), 2.0% (95%CI: 0.8%–3.1%), and 2.9% (95%CI: 0.1%–6.7%), respectively. The prevalences among college students from rural and urban areas were 5.1% (95%CI: 2.8%–7.5%) and 3.7% (95%CI: 1.4%–5.9%), respectively.Conclusions2.8% prevalence of suicide attempts and more than 600,000 suicide attempters among college students indicate that suicide attempt among college students is an important public health problem in China. More attention should be paid to the current situation.     

Consequences of a screening programme on the prevalence of congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness in the Australian Cattle Dog

Genetic disease testing programmes are used in domestic animal breeds to guide selective breeding with the aim of reducing disease prevalence. We assessed the change in the prevalence of canine congenital hereditary sensorineural deafness (CHSD) in litters of Australian Cattle Dogs following the introduction of a brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing programme. We studied 608 pups from 122 litters from 10 breeding kennels. Despite 10 years of testing (1998–2008), no substantial reduction in prevalence of CHSD was evident in these 10 breeding kennels. Even for the subset of litters in which both parents were BAER tested as normal hearing (305 pups from 58 litters), there was no evidence of substantial reduction in prevalence. Odds ratios for CHSD in pups for each extra year since testing in the kennel commenced were 1.01 (95% CI, 0.88–1.17) and 1.03 (95% CI, 0.82–1.30) respectively for these populations. Amongst 284 dogs from 54 litters with extended pedigrees and both parents BAER‐tested normal hearing, observed prevalences of CHSD were highest in pups with no BAER‐tested normal grandparents (17% or 5/29) and lowest in pups with all four grandparents tested normal (0% or 0/9). In pups for which one, two and three grandparents tested negative, prevalences of CHSD were 12% (9/74), 9% (9/101) and 8% (6/71) respectively. Hence, testing programmes based on phenotypic screening may not lead to a substantial reduction in recessive genetic disease prevalence over the medium term, even when only tested normal parents are used. Exclusive breeding of litters in which both parents and all four grandparents are BAER‐tested normal is expected to reduce CHSD prevalence in pups to the greatest extent over the long term.