Identification of antimicrobial peptides in the gonad of European sea bass males and females

In vertebrates, the gonad is considered an immunologically privileged site as it triggers lower immune responses aiming to avoid germ cell damage. In fish,several studies reported that leucocytes show conditioned immune response and modulate some reproductive functions, allowing the pathogen to establish chronic and latent infections into reproductive organs. In mammals, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have recently been recognised as important effectors in male reproductive tract immunity. In fish, AMPs are increasingly recognized as a critical first line of defence against many pathogens as bacteria, fungi, virus, protozoa and even tumour cells. We have recently determined that the European…