A significant difference in hsd11b2 (11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2) head kidney expression was found between control females and TP males compared to cortisol-implanted females, but not between CF and TP males (TF median 1.11-fold higher than CF and 1.16-fold higher than TP males) (X2 (2) = 14.16, p < 0.001) (Fig 7A). This evidence concerns the gene HSD11B2 and cystic fibrosis.