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Terry Nett, Thomas R. Hansen, Gordon Niswender, Ph.D., 1940–2017, Biology of Reproduction, Volume 97, Issue 2, August 2017, Pages 179–181, https://doi.org/10.1093/biolre/iox073
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Gordon Niswender was born in Gillette, Wyoming. He earned a B.S. degree in Agricultural Education from the University of Wyoming in 1962, an M.S. degree in Animal Science from the University of Nebraska in 1964, and a Ph.D. degree in Animal Science from the University of Illinois in 1967. His graduate research focused on mechanisms controlling the corpus luteum (CL), the research area that he would devote his entire career to studying. In 1967, reliable methods to quantify concentrations of hormone in serum were unavailable. Gordon considered this the next obstacle that would need to be conquered in his quest to understand the function of the CL. Working as an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan, he and A. Rees Midgley took the fledgling art of radioimmunoassay (RIA) and turned it into a science. Together, they developed RIAs for all the major reproductive hormones in a variety of species and made these reagents available to over 500 laboratories in more than 30 countries. This evolved to an unparalleled advancement in our understanding of mechanisms involved in regulating the reproductive endocrinology axis in both males and females.
Armed with these tools, Dr Niswender moved his research program to Colorado State University in 1972, where he continued to study the regulation of the CL. He and his associates identified two distinct morphological types of steroidogenic luteal cells (small or thecal derived and large or granulosal derived). He rapidly developed techniques to separate these cell types and found that the large cells secreted large amounts of progesterone constitutively, did not respond to luteinizing hormone (LH), but were susceptible to prostaglandin F2α. The small cells were responsive to LH in context of induction of steroidogenesis, but not to prostaglandin F2α. These findings were corroborated by further studies, measuring receptors for hormones regulating luteal function, and quantifying mRNA concentrations for a variety of proteins involved in synthesis and secretion of progesterone.
Perhaps his most lasting legacy to the scientific community emanates from the students that benefited from his tutelage. He trained 6 M.S. and 19 Ph.D. students, and 32 postdoctoral fellows, many of whom have distinguished careers in academia, government, or industry. He was the Principal Investigator on a National Institutes of Health T32 postdoctoral and graduate student training grant for 35 consecutive years. Together with his students, Gordon published over 210 articles in refereed journals, 40 chapters in textbooks, and presented over 110 abstracts at scientific meetings. The excellence of his research and teaching resulted in major scholarly awards from the Endocrine Society, the American Society of Animal Science, the Society for the Study of Reproduction (SSR), and the Society of Reproduction and Fertility. Regarding SSR, he was President and Treasurer, served as Editor of Biology of Reproduction and on many other committees (see SSR Distinguished Service Award). He also received the Carl Hartman Award, which is the highest award from SSR in recognition of his research career and scholarly activities.
Gordon was well known for his outspoken nature. He always had an opinion, no matter the topic and was willing to share it with others. He could also expertly manage virtually any controversial subject and had an uncanny ability to diffuse uncomfortable situations through his quick-witted humor. Gordon always focused on the discussion and learning rather than insisting on always being correct. He was well known for his Niswenderisms, one of which was “If I didn’t believe it, I wouldn’t have seen it.” He was a remarkable mentor, colleague, and friend as well as a devoted husband and father. He will be missed by many. Other reproductive biologists and his friends contribute their thoughts below in rememberance of Gordon Niswender.
“Gordon and I grew up in neighboring towns and first met at a Future Farmers of America Speech Contest in 1956 while we were still in high school. Subsequently, we were fraternity brothers during our undergraduate days, roommates and colleagues while working on our master degrees, and colleagues and neighbors during our Ph.D. program after which we joined neighboring universities and remained lifelong friends. Our common interest in the CL began during our master's work under the tutelage of Dr Jim Wiltbank at the Fort Robinson Beef Cattle Research Station in western Nebraska. We learned the basics of experimental surgery by hysterectomizing heifers to study the effect of the uterus on maintenance of the CL. That seems pretty elementary now, but at that time a majority of endocrine studies still involved observing changes following the removal and or replacement of an organ. Gordon's surgical and laboratory skills were greatly improved while at the University of Illinois where his interest in the CL continued as did his interest in measuring blood hormone levels. Radioimmunoassays were in their infancy at that time, but a visit by Dr Rees Midgley led to a promise of a postdoctoral position at the University of Michigan. Prior to leaving Illinois, we injected a number of rabbits with luteinizing hormone to develop antibodies. One of these animals turned out to be GDN-15, whose antisera were utilized to develop the assays for LH and eventually distributed worldwide by Gordon to virtually everyone who wished to establish a radioimmunoassay for LH in their laboratory. Gordon's interest in measuring LH related of course to the effect of this hormone on the CL. His subsequent studies over many years contributed significantly to our understanding of the mechanism of the formation, maintenance, function, and regression of the CL. While learning the fundamentals of luteal function were important to Gordon, his driving force was to improve reproductive efficiency in farm animals. He had a unique ability to understand and implement both basic and applied biology for the betterment of society. His many awards and recognitions attest to the very significant contributions he made to the field of reproductive biology.” (Colin Kaltenbach, University of Arizona, Charter Member, SSR)
“My friendship with Gordon extends from our time together as graduate students at the University of Illinois in the 1960s. Gordon and I were dispatched by our mentor, Andy Nalbandov, to present our research at a meeting in San Francisco. The organizers took us aside and proposed that we not present, because we were unworthy substitutes for Dr Nalbandov, who could not attend. However, they quickly relented when faced with our resistance and the threat of physical harm from the Wyoming cowboy/scientist! Gordon will be with us for our lifetimes and beyond, in the lives of those whom he trained, his scientific legacy (the methodology to quantify hormones), and the better understanding of the mysteries of the CL, especially the interactions among the constituent cells. Gordon will be remembered for his ‘can-do’ persona about work and life: anything is possible, and I can/will do it! Gordon was never neutral about anything; he had strong opinions and he voiced those opinions. His contributions to the Society for the Study of Reproduction are reflected in the major awards from the Society, and his leadership as President, and as Editor-in-Chief of Biology of Reproduction. And Gordon's pillar of strength was his wife, Jody. In the years after retirement, he became a well-known silversmith, maker of fine western jewelry, the expression of artistic talent that had been nurtured and that blossomed when given the time and opportunity. We have lost a remarkable scientist and friend.” (P. Landis Keyes, University of Michigan, Charter Member, SSR)
“I first met Gordon while I was looking for a postdoctoral position in the early 1990s. I was interested in how the CL functioned and everyone told me I needed to talk to Dr Niswender (a.k.a. ‘Dr CL himself’). He was the expert in the field and would make an excellent postdoc mentor. While visiting Colorado to see how I might fit in at CSU, in addition to exciting discussions regarding the latest discoveries about CL function and how I might be able to become involved in the cutting-edge experiments planned, I somehow ended up helping put gravel down for the driveway to his new house. Looking back, this experience reflects on his personality. He was an exceptional scientist who was down to earth and encouraged those he mentored to work hard to succeed with whatever task they were undertaking. While I was at CSU, Gordon and Terry Nett were Editors of Biology of Reproduction and this highlighted his ethos of participation in the publication and peer-review system. Whenever I am struggling to find the time to finish a manuscript for submission, I can still hear his voice in the background extolling the need for our experimental findings to undergo the scrutiny of peer review and be published to become part of the foundation of knowledge to build upon, i.e. the project is not finished until the paper is published. While we have lost a giant in the field of reproductive research, I am certain his influence will be felt through many generations of scientists. He leaves a legacy of insights into the functioning of the CL that he developed during his lifetime, and his words of wisdom will continue to be passed on to those we mentor.” (Jenny Juengel, AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand)
“I personally was not in the field of Reproductive Biology as a student or beginning faculty member and the first SSR meeting that I attended was in 1981 at Oregon State University. While I did not know many people in Reproductive Biology, I quickly learned the names of many of the giants in the field and in our society. Amongst these names, over and over the name of Gordon Niswender came up. I soon learned why. Not only was Gordon a superb scientist who had made many seminal contributions to reproductive biology concerning the functioning of the ovary and uterus, mostly in domestic animals, but he was also a technology-oriented genius who had a huge and very accurate vision of what it would take to continue to move science forward. As a result, under his guidance, his group was singly responsible for the generation of many invaluable reagents that allowed for the measurements of a number of proteins and steroids in animals that resulted in data that were previously impossible to obtain. Typical of Gordon, he readily shared these reagents with whomever needed them in the conduct of their own research. I too was a recipient of the generosity of this extraordinary individual. As I got to know Gordon better and exchanged visits at our home universities and conversed with him at the annual SSR meeting, I saw firsthand that his dedication to science, his encyclopedic knowledge of it, and dedication to helping others was unmatched. Perhaps my best memory of Gordon had to do with some work they had performed in their laboratory on the StAR protein. They had reported an observation that was contrary to what my own beliefs were. Few years later, Gordon sought me out at an SSR meeting, pulled me aside, and apologized to me several times for their earlier work telling me that later studies in their laboratory were contrary to their initial observations, and that they would publish them. This apology was, of course, completely unnecessary, but permanently etched in my brain the type of man that Gordon was, namely an excellent scientist, scrupulously honest and fair, exceedingly generous, and a joy to be around. He was a special kind of person, and the very best of that kind.” (Doug Stocco, Texas Tech University)
“When I was a graduate student, we referred to the two giants in the field of CL biology as ‘The god of the east’ (i.e., Bill Hansel) and ‘The king of the west’ (i.e., Gordon Niswender). Together, their story is a great example of how competition can drive scientific discoveries, and in this case our understanding of the functions of the small and large steroidogenic cells in the CL were revealed. I have to admit that as a young scientist, I found Gordon to be quite intimidating. He made brilliant arguments to support his theories and he did not seem to have much tolerance for alternative ideas. Gradually, I learned how wrong I was about this. Gordon loved scientific discourse, and was very open to having his ideas challenged as part of vigorous discussions. He encouraged young scientists to think out of the box, but to be meticulous about experimental design. He was clearly a leader in our field, and much of what we know about the CL today is based on the work from his lab. Gradually, I came to know Gordon as a valued colleague whose constructive criticism helped me to be a better scientist. Instead of being intimidating, he was a source of support. I recall an evening at an SSR meeting when a few of us were sharing stories, and I showed a few pictures from my recent wedding. Gordon turned to the youngest person in the room and said ‘This is what science is really about, it's about developing friendships.’ I remember Gordon with fondness and he will be greatly missed.” (Joy Pate, Pennsylvania State University)
“The Gordon Niswender I knew and valued as a friend was a sharing, caring, and brilliant reproductive biologist and agriculturist. I learned from him at every SSR meeting, during visits to Colorado State (CSU) and in many other venues. When he welcomed me to his laboratory to learn an assay for LH receptors, he provided food and lodging at his home in exchange for shearing his family sheep flock. Gordon's contributions to understanding of luteal function and his mastery of that knowledge were second to none. In addition to his own intellect, Gordon benefitted from a unique combination of scientific heritage, having studied with Jim Wiltbank, Dwayne Zimmerman, and Andy Nalbandov, all of whom had been guided at Wisconsin by L. E. Casida, a student of the pioneer Fred McKenzie at Missouri. His major professor at Illinois, Phil Dziuk, was a student of W.E. Petersen at Minnesota, who had also mentored Ed Graham, a major contributor to male reproduction, and he matured with Rees Midgley at Michigan. Thus, Gordon was very connected to other giants in the field. Many who knew of Gordon's contributions to ovarian function, to development of radioimmunoassays, and to reproductive sciences as a whole, probably were not aware of his devotion to production agriculture on the western range. Gordon stayed in touch with local farmers and ranchers during Saturday morning coffees at a small restaurant in Windsor, Colorado, in activities with Suffolk and Texel sheep, and in his hobby of calf roping. He was a major force in development of the Western Center for Integrated Resource Management, a collaboration between the University of Wyoming and CSU. He attempted to expand that program to Eastern states with federal support. Today, it provides an online M.S. program in agricultural environmental stewardship. Gordon's ready smile, sage advice, and helpful nature will live on in the continuing contributions of his students and their students as the years pass.” (E. Keith Inskeep, West Virginia University, Charter Member, SSR)
“Gordon Niswender was a part of my career every step of the way—from a starting graduate student to a department head and every step of the way he was a mentor, an inspiration, a guide, an advisor and, as the years rolled by, a colleague and a friend. Gordon's impact on my and so many others scientific development was profound. He had a keen intellect, a formidable work ethic, and an ability to formulate answers while I was still trying to formulate the questions! He will forever be recognized by those who knew him personally and those that knew him only through reputation as one of the true giants of reproductive biology. Having had the great fortune to be one of those that knew him personally, the one observation I would like to add is that Gordon truly loved what he did and he had fun doing it. As I look back over the years, this was a man that was an A-list scientist, a study section member, a society president, a teacher, a mentor, a director, an associate dean, and a dean and through it all he smiled, laughed, joked, and always found time to bring people together whether at a holiday party, a lamb roast, a chili cook off or a game of pool, and a cold beverage on a Friday afternoon. I honestly do not know how he accomplished all that he did but even more remarkable to me is that he made it fun. I valued what Gordon taught me about science and leadership. I will miss that but, perhaps more than anything, I will miss his humor and his ability to not only help us succeed but have some fun along the way.” (Colin Clay, Colorado State University)