Amelioration of sperm count and sperm quality by lycopene supplementation in irradiated mice

Abstract

Male mice were exposed to lycopene (LYC; 0.15 and 0.30mg kg−1) and irradiation (0.5, 1 Gy) alone or in combination (0.5 Gy+0.15mg kg−1 LYC; 0.5 Gy+0.30mg kg−1 LYC; 1 Gy+0.15mg kg−1 LYC; 1 Gy+0.30mg kg−1 LYC) for 2 weeks. LYC administration in the drinking water was started 24h or on Day 8 after the first irradiation dose or equivalent time point for groups treated with LYC alone. Sperm count, motility, morphology and DNA damage were determined at the end of the 2-week treatment period. Irradiation deteriorated sperm count and quality. Supplementation with LYC from 24h significantly increased the sperm count compared with irradiation alone. In almost all combined treatment groups, the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa was significantly decreased compared with that after irradiation alone. In some cases, combined treatment reduced levels of DNA damage in gametes. Both doses of LYC administered from Day 8 significantly reduced the percentage of morphologically abnormal spermatozoa compared with that seen after 1 Gy irradiation and reduced DNA damage in all combined treatment groups. In conclusion, LYC supplementation after irradiation can ameliorate the harmful effects of irradiation on gametes. Mitigation of radiation-induced damage in germ cells following LYC administration may be useful for radiological accidents and to protect non-treated tissues in patients with cancer undergoing radiotherapy.