Background: Asthenozoospermia is considered one of the most prevalent causes of male infertility. In asthenozoospermia cases where enough suitable sperm cannot be provided for assisted reproductive technology or where it is impossible to collect fresh semen from the men on the day of assisted reproductive technology for any reason, cryopreservation can help to recover sperm and oocyte at the same time. Cryopreservation of human semen increases reactive oxygen species, leading to oxidative damage to the sperm. Therefore, adding an antioxidant to the freezing medium could be useful. Lycopene, as a red carotenoid and powerful antioxidant, has many positive effects on sperm biochemical parameters. Objective: This experimental study aims to assess the effect of lycopene supplementation on sperm biochemical parameters during cryopreservation in asthenozoospermia men. Materials and Methods: Semen samples were collected from 30 asthenospermic men in 1403 at Mehr Infertility Treatment Center, Rasht, Iran. Each sample was then divided into 3 groups (n1, n2, n3): n 1 : control (fresh), n 2 : freeze (treated with cryoprotectant alone), and n 3 : freeze + lycopene (treated with cryoprotectant and 5 µmol/L lycopene). 30 samples were examined in each group. In the freezing groups, samples were cryopreserved with human sperm freezing medium and rapid freezing method. In each sample, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, the level of sperm antioxidants, including catalase, glutathione, and superoxide dismutase, and the level of sperm malondialdehyde (MDA) were investigated. Results: There was a significant decrease in the mean levels of sperm antioxidants in the freeze group compared to the control counterpart (p < 0.001). At the same time, there was a significant increase in the mean sperm levels of MDA (p < 0.001). Moreover, in the freeze+ lycopene group, the mean levels of antioxidants increased significantly (p < 0.001), while the mean levels of MDA decreased significantly compared to the Freeze group (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Given our findings, lycopene ameliorates the adverse effects of cryopreservation on sperm quality in asthenozoospermic men by reducing reactive oxygen species production and preventing its undesired effects on sperm function by increasing sperm antioxidants, and reducing MDA levels.
