Reference - Glossary

Allele:

An allele is an alternative form of a gene (one member of a pair) that is located at a specific position on a specific chromosome and control the same characteristic.

American Purebred:

A bovine containing a minimum of 93.75% Wagyu. It is usually the fourth cross between a pure Wagyu and F3. Wagyu content in an American Purebred Wagyu is in the range of 93.75 to 99.99%. The term is derived from grading up with other breeds and is a often used to differentiate it from "Fullblood" and "pure" Wagyu which are 100.0% Wagyu.

Autosome:

Any chromosome that is not a sex chromosome or does not determine the sex of the animal is an autosome.

Dominance:

Where dominance is complete, the heterozygote exhibits the same characteristics as the dominant homozygote (AA = Aa ≠ aa).

F1:

A bovine containing at least 50% Wagyu. It is commonly the first cross between pure Wagyu and any other cattle breed. A purebred (93.75% Wagyu or above) crossed with any other breed does not qualify as F1 in Australia. This definition was clarified by the AWA board in 2011.

F2:

A bovine containing at least 75% Wagyu. It is commonly the second cross between pure Wagyu and F1.

F3:

A bovine containing at least 87.5% Wagyu. It is commonly the third cross between pure Wagyu and F2.

Fullblood:

A bovine with 100% Wagyu content.

Genotype:

The genetic make-up with reference to a single trait, a set of traits or an entire complex of traits in an animal or group of animals (AA, Aa, aa).

Genotypic ratio:

The number of times that each genotype appears within progeny or a population (1:2:1).

Incomplete dominance:

The heterozygote expresses itself in a different manner from either homozygote, and the genotypic and phenotypic ratios are the same (AA ≠ Aa ≠ aa, and both ratios are 1:2:1).

Phenotype:

The observable characteristic or expression of the genotype is the phenotype (Horned or Polled).

Phenotypic ratio:

The relative number of offspring expressing a particular trait is the phenotypic ratio (1:3).

Pure:

A "pure" Wagyu is a descendant from Japanese Wagyu and contains 100% Wagyu. Fullblood Wagyu are "pure" Wagyu.

Purebred:

A bovine containing a minimum of 93.75% Wagyu. It is usually the fourth cross between a pure Wagyu and F3. Purebred Wagyu content is in the range of 93.75 to 99.99%. The term is derived from grading up with other breeds and is also referred to as "American Purebred" to avoid confusion with "Fullblood" and "pure" Wagyu which are 100% Wagyu bloodlines.

Recessive:

A gene that is expressed only when it is present in two copies, or when the other one is absent.

Sex chromosome:

A chromosome that is involved in the determination of the sex as well as the development of sexual characteristics in an animal.

SSF test:

The Slice Shear Force test records the resistance of meat to shearing as a function of time as a quick measurement of texture.

Wagyu:

Wagyu 和牛 literally means "Japanese cow" and comprise four breeds - Japanese Black/Black Wagyu, Japanese Brown/Red Wagyu/Akaushi, Shorthorn Wagyu and Poll Wagyu. Some of the best known Wagyu beef brands from Japanese Black from specific regions in Japan are Matsusaka, Kobe and Ōmi beef.

WB shear force:

The force to shear through a uniform piece of meat using a Warner-Bratzler analyzer gives a consistent measurement of texture. Sample steaks are cooked, cooled and then 6 core samples with a diameter of 12.7 mm are taken.