This paper presents a theoretical framework of anthropological research on the question of mother-to-child transmission of HIV in general and in Tamil Nadu in particular, by confronting this problematic with different approaches in the anthropology of reproduction. I will first briefly consider the question of MTCT from the point of view of public health and then suggest research perspectives in the "socio-cultural" anthropology of reproduction presented by the problematic of MTCT and HIV. Finally, I will discuss to what extent other anthropological approaches ("medical", "social change" and "political") open multiple research perspectives on the question of MTCT and HIV.