My broad area of research is reproductive endocrinology, with specific emphasis on male reproductive tract immunology and contraception. The male reproductive tract is considered to be a vital organ system because of its indispensable functions. It plays a crucial role during development and fertility. In the recent years, attempts to understand male reproductive tract immunology has increased many fold due to the fact that identification of reproductive tract specific innate immune responses can help to combat sexually transmitted diseases, a serious problem on our country. When compared to other organ systems including the female reproductive tract, the male reproductive tract is known to express the highest number of defensins till date, suggesting the existence of sophisticated innate immune machinery. Defensins are a class of antimicrobial peptides that form the first line of defense. Besides the defensins, the male reproductive tract expresses a wide variety of proteins that conserve the characteristics of defensins, which have been shown to play a significant role in innate immunity besides their role in sperm maturation. Because of their dual role in immunity and sperm maturation, our goal is to identify the natural antimicrobial peptides of the male reproductive tract and exploit them to treat sexually transmitted diseases in place of conventional antibiotics, against which a variety of pathogens have developed resistance and also to use them as potential male contraceptives.

reproductive endocrinology, with specific emphasis on male reproductive tract immunology and contraception. The male reproductive tract is considered to be a vital organ system because of its indispensable functions