Has bactericidal activity. Potent activity against E.coli ML-35, L.monocytogenes EGD and C.albicans. Strong expression in the bone marrow, lung, testis. Moderate expression in the bursa and intestine. Low expression in the cloaca, gall bladder, brain and pancreas. Expressed in the vagina, ovarian stroma and the theca and granulosa layers of the ovarian follicle. Detected in the theca layer of the ovarian follicle in the white follicle (WF) stage, but decreases throughout the F1, F3, F5, and postovulatory follicle stages. Detected in the granulosa layer of the ovarian follicle in the white follicle (WF) stage, F1, F3, F5, and postovulatory follicle stages. In the vagina expression is higher in laying hens than in non-laying hens, and is higher in older laying hens than in young laying hens. Induced in the theca layer of the F3 stage ovarian follicle by intravenous injection of LPS. Repressed in the granulosa layer of the F3 stage ovarian follicle by intravenous injection of LPS. Expression in cultured vaginal cells is increased by LPS and S.enteritidis. Expression in the kidney and liver is not affected by intravenous injection of LPS. Belongs to the beta-defensin family.