New Recessive Genetic Test Available: HFSD | Australian Wagyu Association

The Australian Wagyu Association (AWA) is pleased to advise members that testing is now available for Hepatocyte Fibrinogen Storage Disorder (HFSD), a newly identified recessive genetic condition in Wagyu cattle.

The delivery of HFSD testing for AWA members is the result of the partnership with Weatherby’s Scientific.

What is HFSD?

HFSD is an inherited recessive genetic condition that affects liver function due to the production of abnormal fibrinogen proteins. Fibrinogen is essential for normal liver function and blood clotting. In affected animals, abnormal fibrinogen accumulates within liver cells, disrupting the liver’s ability to process toxins, nutrients and clotting factors effectively. Animals that inherit two copies of the HFSD allele may experience:

Progressive liver dysfunction
Reduced health and performance
Poor body condition
Abnormal bleeding and/or thrombosis in some cases
Liver cirrhosis and irreversible liver damage over time

Important Note – Clinical signs can vary considerably, ranging from animals showing no obvious symptoms to those developing severe disease.

Identifying carrier and affected animals through DNA testing allows breeders to make informed mating decisions, reducing the risk of producing affected progeny while supporting long-term herd health and productivity.

Please be aware, HFSD is not currently analysed through GeneProb (Understanding Genetic Condition Results and GeneProb). However, work is being undertaken, including strategic testing of influential sires, to implement GeneProb for HFSD at a later stage.

How to Order HFSD Testing?

HFSD is now available through the AWA partnership with Weatherby’s Scientific and is included within all Weatherby’s testing bundles. It can also be ordered as an add-on test alongside a Genomic SNP, or if you do not require a genomic SNP at the same time it can also be ordered within the Genetic condition stand-alone bundle (trait panel).

Ordering this test is available through the usual DNA Test request forms and Helical module.

Fees

For fees, please refer to the current AWA DNA Fee Schedule or contact Member Services for the latest pricing.

Accessing Your HFSD Results

When results are returned, you will receive an email notification advising that they are available. You can also view results directly in Helical by opening the relevant test request and navigating to the Genetic Tests tab.

Alternatively, results can be accessed through the individual animal record. Open the animal in Helical and navigate to Genetic Tests, where the results will be available in the DNA Results section.

Important Note: HFSD results will be available for animals that already have a genomic profile provided via Weatherby’s Scientific.

Need Assistance?

The AWA is available to support you on HFSD or other Wagyu services through contacting: Australian Wagyu Association Member Services

PHh+61 2 8880 7700 (Australia) or +1 682 418 4774 (International)
E: [email protected]

IMPORTANT NOTICE - Terms & Conditions

It is a condition of use of this database that you accept these terms and conditions.

It is important that you appreciate when accessing the Australian Wagyu Association Limited (AWA) database (which may be hosted on an external website) that the information contained on the AWA database, including but not limited to pedigree, DNA information, Wagyu Breeding Values (WBVs) and Index values (together called Database Information), is based on data supplied by AWA members and/or third parties. 

Whilst sincere effort is made to ensure the Database Information is accurate and complete, to the extent permitted by law, AWA, its officers and employees, shall not be responsible for its use or interpretation, and you use the Database Information at your own risk. Please be aware of the following limitations of the Database Information.

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

WBVs are derived using genetic evaluation technology developed for the AWA, using information contained within the AWA database and parameters derived from it.
WBVs are estimates of genetic potential of individual animals and may change with addition of new data or with new parameters.
WBVs are genetic merit estimates only and may not reflect the raw animal phenotype.
WBVs can only be directly compared to other WBVs calculated in the same AWA genetic analysis.

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

Animals whose registration identifiers start with PED are Pedigree Recorded Animals. What this means is that the details which AWA used to register the animal were obtained from a Recognised Wagyu Registry Organisation – in other words a Wagyu breed association based outside of Australia. AWA has not independently verified the information with respect to the animal or the details recorded about the animal. You should read AWA’s by-laws which set out details regarding the definition of a Pedigree Recorded Animal. 
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 genetic issues or inaccuracies which were previously not detectable are now able to be detected by current testing technology (i.e. if the animal was tested again with current 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 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.

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

As genetic testing results are provided by independent DNA testing laboratories at the request of AWA members, AWA relies solely on the accuracy of the reporting of genetic testing as completed by the laboratories. 
AWA uses GeneProb software to calculate the likelihood of pedigree animals being a carrier of genetic conditions. This likelihood is an estimate based on the available genetic testing results.

If you consider that you do not understand or appreciate the nature and/or implications of the data provided on this website or the WBVs of a particular animal, then AWA strongly recommends that you seek expert advice.  Note there is substantial technical information and articles on the Wagyu website to assist our members.

AWA’s liability for any loss or damage, consequential or otherwise, suffered or incurred by you or your related business, arising directly or indirectly from your use of Database Information, to the extent permitted by law, is limited to AWA providing you with a refund for the fees paid for the service (if any), or AWA re-performing the service, where possible, at the election of AWA.

AWA administers this database in good faith to support AWA members and the industry. AWA does not represent or warrant that the animals recorded in this database, or animals breed from them, will achieve any particular genetic or phenotype performance.

THIS DISCLAIMER HAS BEEN UPDATED AS OF 03/02/2026, PLEASE ENSURE YOU HAVE READ IT IN DETAIL