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As a part of the innate and adaptive immune responses, antimicrobial proteins and peptides are principle effectors against microbial invasion and control of infections. In contrast to the immune system of animals, which produces antimicrobial proteins and peptides when needed, avian egg can efficiently resist microorganisms over a long period of time in the absence of a specialized cellular defense system other than the inert germ cell. It is thus appreciated that, underlying the shell, avian egg contains powerful immune molecules that protect the developing embryo from invading microorganisms. This chapter explores the main antimicrobial proteins and peptides in the egg, with the aim of understanding the biological function of egg antimicrobial proteins and peptides, as well as identifying the key events that account for their defensive roles.

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