
Originally Posted by
Kohan
This is the most accurate answer. Sperm do not simply "die" once they hit air. In fact, this kind of misconception is applied to a lot of things (such as germs on a public toilet seat), and is part of the reason people get sick "unexpectedly."
Furthermore, if they're in a wet, warm environment (e.g., a closed up condom), they'll live a little longer. Roughly forty-five minutes to an hour is the estimated lifespan, but again, ideal conditions can result in a slightly longer lifespan. Once they've gone through the cervix, they can survive for up to one full week, and every day they live is a potential day for fertilization.