Male and female reproductive structures play an important role in seed development in plants. Abnormalities in male or female reproductive structures can lead to sterility. In soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., about 75 sterility mutants have been identified and most of them have been mapped to chromosomes. Mapping results have shown that some chromosomal regions are hotspots for fertility genes. Fine mapping of some of the male-sterile, female-fertile mutants and male-sterile, femalesterile mutants resulted in identification of candidate genes for fertility. Sequence comparisons further helped in locating a few putative candidates. A CACTA- like transposable element that is responsible for reversion from sterility-to-fertility has been identified, and complete association between the presence of a transposon and sterility also has been shown. Several studies are underway that are using transformation sequences to clone fertility genes. Cloning and characterization of genes involved in male sterility and female sterility will help us recognize molecular mechanisms controlling sterility and help us understand the reproductive biology of soybean. This advancement of knowledge will assist in the development of a stable sterility system in soybean that can be utilized for hybrid seed production.