Natural Human Antimicrobial Peptides and Female Reproductive Tract Infections

Abstract

Female reproductive tract infections (RTIs) are a major health challenge worldwide and are the leading cause of infertility and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The rising incidence of RTIs highlights their status as a major public health issue. Microbial dysbiosis, particularly bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, constitutes the primary etiological factor disrupting female reproductive health. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are evolutionarily conserved host defense molecules that exhibit broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against pathogens, as well as anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. This review systematically summarizes the structural diversity, biological sources, and mechanistic pathways of human-derived AMPs in combating RTIs, with a particular emphasis on their therapeutic potential in fertility preservation. Emerging evidence suggests AMPs as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics in the post-antibiotic era.