Influence of female age, sperm senescence and multiple mating on sperm viability in female Drosophila melanogaster

► We assess sperm death within the female reproductive tract. ► Sperm viability was not influenced by an acute female response to mating or maternal age. ► Rival ejaculates did not influence viability. ► Majority of sperm death was due to the aging of sperm within the female reproductive tract.