BDNF and hereditary elliptocytosis: However, although we did not measure ACTH stimulation of cortisol release by the adrenal glands, canonical pathway analysis of pituitary DEGs indicated (z-score less than -2.00) the down-regulation of the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) signaling pathway (BDNF, POMC, ADCY8, PRKCA, and PRKAR1A) in HE steers (Table 3).