David Garbers and the Birth of cAMP Biology in Mammalian Sperm

Mol Reprod Dev. 2024 Oct;91(10):e23773. doi: 10.1002/mrd.23773.

Abstract

Dr. David Garbers made many impactful contributions to science and vastly improved our understanding of sperm biology. In this review, we focus on his identification of a key role for the second messenger cAMP in mammalian sperm. As a graduate student David discovered that sperm motility, which is essential for sperm to fertilize the egg, is under the control of the (at the time) recently identified, prototypical second messenger cAMP. Fast-forwarding to the present, agents which turn off sperm's ability to generate cAMP and block sperm motility are being investigated as potential nonhormonal contraceptives for men and women. Should these efforts prove successful, Dave's discoveries will prove to be the spark which ignited a revolution in human health.

Keywords: cAMP; contraception; motility; sperm.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Historical Article
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP* / history
  • Cyclic AMP* / metabolism
  • Female
  • History, 20th Century
  • History, 21st Century
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Sperm Motility* / physiology
  • Spermatozoa* / metabolism

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP