Normal placental development is dependent upon the differentiation and invasion of trophoblast, the main cellular component of the placenta. During this process, trophoblast cells undergo a complex program of differentiation originating several cellular subtypes to ensure the development and progress of human gestation. Trophoblast differentiation is under the control of many autocrine and paracrine factors, that finely tune specific mechanisms that stimulate the expression of a group of genes and increase the production of hormones, including the insulinlike growth factors (IGFs). Certain gestational pathologies are characterized by defective trophoblast differentiaiton and invasion, which is more the result but not the cause of the disease. In this review we will discuss some of the studies focused on the role of the IGF family of growth factors including recent findings in our laboratory and their implications for a better understanding of some gestational diseases. © 2014. Acad. Colomb. Cienc. Ex. Fis. Nat. All rights reserved.