list of antimicrobial peptides in the female reproductive tract list of antimicrobial peptides in the female reproductive tract antimicrobial peptides are short peptides that possess antimicrobial properties. the female reproductive tract and its tissues produce antimicrobial peptides as part of the immune response. these peptides are able to fight pathogens and at the same time allow the maintenance of the microbiota that are part of the reproductive system in women. defensins alpha-defensins beta-defensins theta-defensins cathelicidins ll-37 whey acid proteins slpi elafin he-4 lysozyme s100 proteins calpotectin psoriasin (s100a7) c-type lectins sp-a sp-d iron metabolism proteins lactoferrin kinocidins ccl20/mip-3-alpha