Received October 20, 2012
Accepted December 31, 2012

Although IVF has been successfully established in the last decades of the twentieth century, its history is much older. Several studies from different parts of the world contributed to the understanding of the reproductive process and the development of assisted reproductive techniques. During the last decades, research has contributed to the advancement of these techniques. Fertilize oocytes in vitro allowed the understanding of the mechanisms of fertilization and early embryonic development. This study performed a historical review of experiments that helped in developing the area and scientific knowledge.