After ovulation, an oocyte remain viable in the female body for up to

After ovulation, an oocyte, or egg cell, remains viable in the female body for up to 24 hours. The generally accepted lifespan in a woman's body is 12 to 24 hours for the egg and up to five days for the sperm cells. Intercourse occurring as many as five days prior to ovulation, therefore, could potentially result in pregnancy.