Retrospective on laboratory technology in assisted reproduction

Abstract

We review the evolutionary sequence of laboratory technology in assisted reproduction. From the first attempts to manipulate preimplantational embryos recovered from animal oviducts in 1912; the direct transfers or with short incubation periods for receptor mothers; the complex biochemical process of preparation and supplementation of culture media from saline solutions chemically defined; the transition of this technology to humans basically in vitro oocyte maturation and selection of motile sperm; to proceedings ending with the first clinical application described in 1980.