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Memorial |
Dr Steinberger attended medical school in Germany and then came to the United States, where he graduated with an MD from the State University of Iowa College of Medicine in 1955. In fact, he would have been the first person to be awarded an MD, PhD degree from the University of Iowa, but the Dean insisted that he could not receive 2 degrees at once! He refused to stay for an additional semester, although he completed all requirements for a PhD degree. Nevertheless, this basic science training greatly contributed to his depth of understanding and appreciation of the complexity of male reproductive biology. Dr Steinberger then moved to Wayne State University Medical School for specialty training, followed by a position as a senior medical research officer for the National Naval Medical Center. He served as chairman of the Department of Endocrinology and Human Reproduction at Albert Einstein Medical Center from 1965 to 1971. In 1971 he moved to Houston, Texas, to assume the position of chairman of the Department of Reproductive Medicine and Reproductive Biology at the newly created University of Texas Medical School at Houston. This department was a remarkable blending of the talents of clinical endocrinologists, steroid chemists, biochemists, and cell biologists, all with research interests focused in male reproductive biology. Together with his associates Keith Smith, MD, and Louis Rodriguez-Rigau, MD, Dr Steinberger clinically evaluated each of the infertile partners, because these andrologists recognized that the complexities of successful reproduction reflected the reproductive potential of the couple together rather than just the problems of the female partner. In 1983, Dr Steinberger was honored with the Ashbel Smith Professorship. Together with Drs Smith and Rodriguez, he then established the Texas Institute of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology in 1983.
Much of his career focused on the hormonal control of spermatogenesis. His
studies of spermatogenesis began in the mid-1950s when he worked together with
the famed Dr Warren O. Nelson. His early research set the stage for work that
continues in many andrology laboratories today, and included studies of the
gonadotoxicity of alkylating agents; in vitro penetration of cervical mucus by
sperm; human sperm cryopreservation; effects of heat, ischemia, and
cryptorchidism on spermatogenesis; and the controls of the
hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In the mid-1970s he published a paper on
the frequency distribution of sperm counts of fertile and infertile males,
noting that sperm counts, except at the extreme low end of the scale (in the
absence of other deficiencies), were not major factors in a couple's
infertility, and thereby set the stage for the development of sperm function
testing. Other clinical work focused on the endocrine manipulation of
hyperandrogenic women and those with other causes of ovulatory dysfunction.
With his wife, Dr Anna Steinberger, testicular organ culture and in vitro
spermatogenesis were established. Together they reported on the presence of a
follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)–inhibiting protein secreted by
Sertoli cells that acted on the pituitary. Today we know that this protein is
inhibin. Work in his department focused on androgen and FSH regulation of
spermatogenesis and Sertoli cell function, Leydig cell steroidogenesis, sexual
behavior, and other aspects of reproductive biology. Dr Steinberger was
honored for these achievements by the ASA as the recipient of the
Distinguished Andrologist Award in
1987.
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In his later years, Dr Steinberger became an author and published 2 books on his life before, during, and after the Holocaust. The first, Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, tells of his experiences as a young boy growing up before, during, and after the Second World War. It is an amazing story that chronicles his family's flight from Poland, escape from extermination camps, and imprisonment in a Soviet labor camp. After the war, he attended medical school prior to moving to the United States. His second book, The Promised Land: Woes of an Immigrant, relates his experiences beginning with his arrival in the United States with just $20 in his pocket. There is much to be learned from his story of perseverance to overcome great obstacles in life, a man who ultimately became a leader in our field—a leader who will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Emil Steinberger was passionate about andrology and medicine, hard-working, demanding, innovative in his research, challenging to his students, and devoted to his family. However, he also lived life to the fullest—enjoying his family and friends, sailing, travel, and writing. He enthusiastically embraced life and showed unflinching loyalty and support to his family and trainees. Even after learning of his illness, the Steinbergers traveled to the far reaches of the world—retracing their flight throughout Eastern Europe and Central Asia during World War II; traveling to South America, Asia, and Australia; and visiting with their many friends and colleagues. Every moment of life was precious and enjoyed. His loving wife Anna, his 2 daughters and grandson, his sister, his family and friends, and his colleagues and students will all miss him. His contributions to the field of andrology are legendary. He will remain a role model of the ultimate physician-scientist/andrologist and the first president of the ASA. He leaves us his memory to cherish with the implicit reminder that with integrity, love, loyalty, determination, and drive we can all accomplish the impossible if we, like him, pursue our dreams of excellence.
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