Lycopene supplementation in vitro can protect human sperm deoxyribonucleic acid from oxidative damage.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effects of lycopene on human sperm motility and DNA damage.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Andrology research laboratory.


METHODS
Twelve fertile donors.


METHODS
Preincubation of washed sperm suspensions with or without lycopene (2 or 5 micromol/L) followed by a 2-hour incubation with or without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 50 micromol/L). Assessments of sperm motility (percentage) and DNA fragmentation index (percent DNA fragmentation index) before and after incubation.


METHODS
Sperm motility (percentage) and sperm percent DNA fragmentation index.


RESULTS
Incubation of spermatozoa with H2O2 resulted in a significant decline in mean (+/-SD) percent sperm motility (28%+/-13% vs. 73%+/-4%, respectively) and a significant increase in percent DNA fragmentation index compared with samples incubated without H2O2 (29.8%+/-39.4% vs. 11.1%+/-14.6%, respectively). Pretreatment of samples with 5 micromol/L lycopene resulted in a significantly lower percent DNA fragmentation index than samples incubated without lycopene (8.0%+/-7.9% vs. 29.8%+/-39.4%, respectively). However, lycopene did not protect spermatozoa from the decline in motility after H2O2 treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
The data suggest that preincubation of spermatozoa with lycopene offers protection against oxidative DNA damage in vitro. These data also highlight the differential protective effects of lycopene on sperm motility and sperm DNA integrity.
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada. ziniarmand@yahoo.com
Armand
A
Zini
Maria
M
San Gabriel
Jamie
J
Libman
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000187:drug effects*; D004247:DNA / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004249:DNA Damage / Q000187:drug effects; D053938:DNA Fragmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004353:Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D000077276:Lycopene; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D055101:Semen Analysis; D013081:Sperm Motility / Q000187:drug effects; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D002338:Carotenoids; D004247:DNA; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D000077276:Lycopene