Karl Ernst von Baer

Karl Ernst von Baer was a pioneering German physician and biologist, best known for his groundbreaking discovery of the human ovum (egg) in the early 19th century. His work laid the foundation for modern embryology and significantly advanced the understanding of human reproduction. In 1827, he identified the egg in animal ovaries, which challenged existing theories of reproduction and established a new paradigm in the study of fertility. His contributions to science continue to influence reproductive medicine today.