Can lycopene be delivered into semen via prostasomes? In vitro incorporation and retention studies.

Lycopene (C(40) H(56)) is a highly lipophilic antioxidant found in human semen in nanomolar concentrations. It has been shown to be one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidant in various human studies. Prostasomes are organelles secreted by glandular prostatic epithelial cells and are known to play an important role in fertility and prostate cancer. They are also known to possess antioxidant activity and aid the functioning of sperm. We studied the ability of these vesicles to adsorb and retain lycopene into their rich lipid environment in vitro. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis confirmed micrograms of lycopene per milligram of prostasomal protein. In view of the prostasomes' lipid-rich nature it is highly likely that these organelles act as delivery vehicles for this highly lipophilic antioxidant substance into human semen.