Sperm can travel to the egg in as little as 30 minutes for the fastest swimmers, while others may take days. They can survive within the female reproductive tract for up to 48-72 hours.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
- Speed: Some sperm can reach the egg located in the fallopian tubes in about half an hour. Other sperm may take much longer.
- Survival: Sperm can live inside the female reproductive tract for approximately 48 to 72 hours. This means that if intercourse occurs a few days before ovulation, fertilization is still possible.
- Distance: While the actual distance sperm travel isn't far in absolute terms (only a few inches), the journey is incredibly challenging. Millions of sperm are released, but only a few hundred make it to the vicinity of the egg.
