Lycopene, the antioxidant compound that gives tomatoes their red color, has real randomized-trial support for improving sperm morphology and motility — including a University of Sheffield trial that found nearly 40% more normally-shaped, fast-swimming sperm after 12 weeks of a bioavailable lycopene supplement. A 2025 meta-analysis confirmed the effect on concentration and motility, though results across smaller studies remain somewhat mixed.
Lycopene has quietly built one of the more interesting research trails in male fertility supplements — not because it's new, but because it's one of the only antioxidants with a genuine double-blind, placebo-controlled trial behind a specific, bioavailable formulation.
Key Takeaways
- Regular lycopene is poorly absorbed by the body; the trials with the clearest results used a more bioavailable form called lactolycopene.
- A University of Sheffield randomized trial found roughly 40% more normally-shaped and fast-swimming sperm after 12 weeks.
- A 2025 systematic review and meta-analysis confirmed improvements in sperm concentration and non-progressive motility across pooled trial data.
- Not every trial has found significant effects — a UK biobank study (TOMS2) in men with very low motile sperm counts found more mixed individual-level results.
- Cooked tomato products (with a bit of fat, like olive oil) increase lycopene absorption more than raw tomatoes.
The Landmark Trial
The Sheffield Study
Researchers at the University of Sheffield, led by Professor Allan Pacey, ran a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 60 healthy men aged 19–30, giving half a daily lactolycopene supplement (a more bioavailable lycopene formulation, since standard dietary lycopene is poorly absorbed) and half a placebo for 12 weeks. The result: men taking lactolycopene had roughly 40% more sperm with normal shape and fast, forward-swimming motility compared to placebo — described by the lead researcher as a "dramatic" improvement in morphology specifically.
Follow-up work has extended this into men actually attending fertility clinics, not just healthy volunteers, to see whether the effect holds in men who actually have fertility problems.
What a 2025 Meta-Analysis Found
A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2025, pooling four clinical studies and 151 participants, found lycopene supplementation produced a statistically significant improvement in both sperm concentration and non-progressive motility. That's a meaningful confirmation, though the authors were careful to note that the overall evidence base is still built on a relatively small number of trials, and effect sizes vary by study design and the men enrolled.
Not Every Result Was Positive
A separate UK trial (TOMS2) specifically in men with low total motile sperm counts found lycopene didn't significantly outperform placebo on its primary endpoints, though pooled analysis across all participants did show improvement in concentration and total motile count. The honest read: lycopene looks promising, especially for morphology, but it isn't a guaranteed fix for every man, particularly those with more severe existing sperm parameters.
Food vs. Supplement: Does It Matter?
This is one supplement where the research specifically points toward a formulated product rather than "just eat more tomatoes." Standard dietary lycopene has notoriously poor bioavailability — the trials that found the strongest effects used lactolycopene, a formulation specifically engineered to be better absorbed. That said, cooking tomatoes (which breaks down cell walls) and pairing them with a fat source like olive oil does meaningfully improve absorption of dietary lycopene compared to eating raw tomatoes alone.
| Source | Bioavailability | Practical Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Raw tomatoes | Low | Lycopene is bound tightly in the plant cell structure |
| Cooked tomato products (sauce, paste) | Moderate–Good | Heat breaks down cell walls; pair with olive oil for fat-assisted absorption |
| Lactolycopene supplements | High (as studied) | The formulation used in the clinical trials with the clearest results |
| Standard lycopene supplements | Variable | Look for products noting enhanced or micellized formulations |
Lactolycopene / LactoLycopene-style Supplement
The bioavailable formulation used in the strongest published trials.
Check Price on AmazonLycopene 20mg Softgels
A standard supplemental dose; look for enhanced-absorption formulations.
Check Price on AmazonTomato-Based Antioxidant Blend
Combination formulas pairing lycopene with vitamin C and E for broader antioxidant coverage.
Check Price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How is lycopene different from a general antioxidant supplement?
Lycopene is one specific carotenoid antioxidant, and it happens to have a more direct clinical trial trail for sperm morphology and motility than many broader antioxidant blends. It works well alongside, not necessarily instead of, other antioxidants like vitamin C and E.
Do I need the branded lactolycopene formulation specifically?
The trials with the clearest positive results used it, so it's a reasonable first choice. Standard lycopene supplements with enhanced-absorption technology (micellized or oil-based softgel forms) are a second-best option.
How long before I'd see a difference?
The key trials ran 12 weeks, which lines up well with the natural ~90-day sperm production cycle.
Can eating more tomatoes replace a supplement?
Cooked tomato products with some added fat will modestly increase your dietary lycopene intake, but it's unlikely to match the concentrated dose used in the clinical trials without also supplementing.
Is lycopene safe to combine with other fertility supplements?
Yes — it's commonly included in combination formulas alongside CoQ10, zinc, and vitamin E without known negative interactions. As always, mention everything you're taking to your doctor if you're also pursuing fertility treatment.