Table 1

Natural anti-microbial expression in the female reproductive tract.

Site of expression

Anti-microbial

Reference

Vagina

HD5

[33]

HBD1¹

[34]

Elafin²

[81]

hCAP-18

[82]

Cervix

HD5

[32,33]

HBD1¹

[34]

Elafin²

[81]

SLPI²

[83,84]

hCAP-18

[82]

Fallopian tube

HD5 (variable)

[33]

HBD1¹

[34]

SLPI²

[85]

First trimester decidua

SLPI²

[39]

Amnion/Amniotic fluid

SLPI²

[86,87]

Lactoferrin

[88]

Term decidua

SLPI²

[86]

Lactoferrin

[88]

Chorion

HD5

[32]

Placenta

HNP1 or 3

[89]

HBD1¹

[90]

HBD3¹

[91]

¹chemoattractant role ²anti-protease activity

King et al. Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology 2003 1:116   doi:10.1186/1477-7827-1-116