IARS Disorder genetic testing for Wagyu | Australian Wagyu Association

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA), announced the implementation of testing for the new IARS Disorder to Members, Monday 17 August.

IARS is a genetic recessive condition where animals carrying two copies of the causative IARS SNP mutation (affected animals) have a high frequency of embryonic death during gestation or the first few days of life. This condition is also known as perinatal weak calf syndrome. Read more

AWA Members have conducted approximately 90,000 genomics tests in the past three years. Analysis of the SNP on the different genomics chips used by AWA members identified that the profiles of half of these contained the SNP that is used for determining IARS status.

Our analysis showed that of 44,839 registered animals, 36,991 were identified as Free (not carriers), 7,701 as Carrier (carrying one copy of the mutation) and 147 as Affected (having two copies of the mutation). The relative frequency of carrier animals in the population is approximately 16%.

Using the IARS status for a subset of animals, we used GeneProbe to determine the probability of Free and Carrier status for the sires considered “Foundation Japanese Black Sires”.

Testing for IARS became available from Monday 24 August for AWA members. If ou wish to have the IARS status of animals you have already had tested on 50K SNP displayed on the web, please contact the office. Where your genomics tests contain the IARS SNP already, we can display this information at no charge to the member.

Read about the Foundation Sires status of IARS and other genetic conditions here

Important Notice and Disclaimer

It is very important that you appreciate when viewing the AWA database that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) and Index values, is based on data supplied by members and/or third parties.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information reported through AWA, AWA officers and employees assume no responsibility for its content, use or interpretation. AWA disclaims all liability (including without limitation, liability in negligence) for all expenses, losses, damages and costs you may incur as a result of the use by you of the data on this AWA database and the information supplied by ABRI and AGBU being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason.

Regarding EBVs and Index values, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

EBVs are derived using Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN technology developed independently by the Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU), using the information contained within the AWA database.
AGBU is a joint venture of NSW Department of Primary Industries and the University of New England, which receives funding for this purpose from Meat and Livestock Australia Limited.
AWA relies solely on advice provided by AGBU and ABRI in accepting Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN software.
EBVs published in Wagyu Single Step BREEDPLAN are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
EBVs can only be directly compared to other EBVs calculated in the same monthly Wagyu Group BREEDPLAN analysis.

Regarding pedigree and DNA testing results submitted to the AWA, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

Pedigree and DNA data submitted and supplied to AWA may have errors in it which cannot be detected without further DNA testing.
Technology may have advanced since a particular test was undertaken so that previous inaccuracies which were not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology.
AWA estimates that less than 1% of the pedigree entries, ownership or breeding details in the AWA Herdbook may have errors or which may be misleading. For this reason, users ought to consider if they need to obtain independent testing of the relevant animal (if possible) to ensure that the data is accurate.

Regarding prefectural content, it is very important to appreciate, and you need to be aware that:

Prefectural content is based on the estimation of prefectural origin from Japanese breeding records of 201 foundation sires and 168 foundation dams. As genotype-based parent verification is not used in Japan, and full Japanese registration certificates are not available for all foundation animals, exact prefectural composition for these sires and dams cannot be validated.
The calculation of prefectural content for Australian Herdbook animals relies on the accuracy of pedigree records and DNA samples provided by AWA members.
The reporting of prefectural content for animals within the AWA Herdbook relies on the calculation provided by ABRI.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and extent of the data provided on this website or the EBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek independent expert advice.