Tomato pill may help men with low sperm count, early study suggests
NCT ID NCT05671562
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested whether lycopene, an antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes, can improve sperm quality in men with low total motile sperm count. 34 men took either lycopene capsules or placebo for 12 weeks. Researchers measured changes in sperm count, movement, shape, and DNA health before and after treatment.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- lycopene (an antioxidant found in cooked tomatoes)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a simple dietary supplement to improve sperm quality in men with low motile sperm count.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small pilot study with only 34 participants. Results may not apply to all men, and the supplement may not work better than placebo.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Jessop Fertility
Sheffield, United Kingdom