The Effect of Lycopene on Sperm Quality in Men Attending Fertility Clinic

The goal of this clinical trial is to test whether lycopene (an antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes) will improve the number of swimming sperm in the ejaculates of men with low total motile sperm count.Participants will take either lycopene capsules or identical capsules containing no lycopene for 12 weeks. We will analyse the quality of their semen before and after taking the capsules, and compare the results.Hypothesis: Supplementation with lycopene will improve testicular function (semen quality) in males with low total motile sperm count (TMSC).

Inclusion Criteria:Males aged 18 - 50 years of ageAttending the Fertility Clinic at the Jessop Wing, (Sheffield Teaching Hospitals).Found to have poor testicular function as evidenced by a low motile sperm count (<20 million motile sperm per ejaculate).Willing to comply with the study procedures and provide informed consent.Exclusion Criteria:Participants who report allergy to tomatoes, whey, soy.Men with previous testicular surgery or a current or previous diagnosis of cancer.Men found to have normal sperm parameters.Known infection with hepatitis or HIV.Men with azoospermia