The observation showing that MBL level decreases in patients with four pituitary deficiencies, being especially low in patients with panhypopituitarism, suggests that ACTH deficiency (usually being the fourth deficiency in gradually developing hypopituitarism) resulting in secondary adrenal insufficiency contributes strongly to weakening of the lectin pathway. The gene discussed is MBL2; the disease is Adrenal insufficiency.