Our observation of reduced levels of COX-2 in calcific valve together with lack of correlation between levels of COX-2 and markers of gravity of CAVD, such as mean aortic gradient or peak jet velocity, may further indicate that COX-2 downregulation could be an early event that triggers CAVD. The gene discussed is PTGS2; the disease is congenital bilateral aplasia of vas deferens from CFTR mutation.