How soon after ovulation does the egg have to be fertilized, and how long do sperm live in the womans reproductive tract?
A – Following ovulation, the egg can “last” for some time (perhaps 1224 hours) in an unfertilized state. If fertilization does not occur in that time period, however, the oocyte will die. Sperm will survive in the female reproductive tract for 2472 hours. This time may be reduced somewhat for sperm that is washed and introduced to the woman’s reproductive tract through artificial insemination. Ideally, insemination should be performed as close to ovulation as possible. Insemination before ovulation is not necessary because the sperm do not need to traverse the cervical mucus. Because cervical mucus becomes essentially impenetrable to sperm just prior to ovulation (as a result of progesterone production), patients conceiving “naturally” must have intercourse the day before ovulation or earlier.
