In Vitro fertilization : more than 4 million children born and a Nobel prize

1978, nasceu Louise Brown, o primeiro bebê de proveta. Este nascimento histórico foi o resultado de pesquisas do biólogo Robert Edwards e do ginecologista Patrick Steptoe (1). Em 2010, Edwards recebeu o prêmio Nobel de Medicina/ Fisiologia, pela importância desta técnica para a humanidade. Este artigo revisa as etapas envolvidas na fertilização in vitro (FIV), as dificuldades dos pioneiros, as soluções encontradas e os procedimentos clínicos utilizados atualmente.Louise Brown, the first baby conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF), was born in 1978. This landmark was a result of research conducted by biologist Robert Edwards and gynecologist Patrick Steptoe (1). In 2010, Edwards was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in recognition of the importance of IVF to humanity. The objective of the present article is to review the steps involved in IVF, the difficulties faced by pioneers, the solutions found, and the clinical procedures currently employed