내분비계장애물질의 노출 현황과 국내성인 남성의 정자의 질 변화

Abstract

[한글]

내분비계장애물질(EDC)은 주로 도시지역을 대상으로 하는 다매체 거동 모형을 이용하여 환경 내 동태에 있어서 전형적인 특징을 가지고 있기 때문에 '내분비계장애물질 중∙장기연구사업계획(1999~2008)' 중 기반연구, 오염실태 및 영향조사에 중심을 두어 1999~2003년까지의 결과를 국내의 다매체 환경 (대기, 수체 및 퇴적층, 연안퇴적층, 토양)의 자료를 조사하였다. 내분비계장애물질의 환경 내 노출 현황을 1999년부터 2003년까지 조사 분석해보니 점차적으로 검출 농도가 낮아지고 있었다. 우리나라와 비슷한 조사를 실시하고 있는 일본의 조사결과와 비교할 때 검출농도는 낮거나 유사한 수준임을 알 수 있었다. 다이옥신의 평균 검출농도는 대기, 저질, 토양 등에서 전체적으로 감소하는 것으로 나타났다.세계적으로 권위있는 영국의 의학잡지「브리티쉬 메디칼 저널」에 논문을 실은 Skakkebaek연구팀(1992)은 내분비계장애물질에 의해 지난 40년간 고환암의 발생률이 세배로 증가하였고, 평균 정자수는 1938년에서 1990년 사이에 거의 50%나 감소되었다고 보고했고 같은 해 Carlsen 등(1992)에 의하여 제기된 인류의 정자 수 감소 가설은 이후 여러 연구들에 의하여 제한점이 지적되기도 했고 확인이 이루어지기도 하였다.내분비교란물질로 대표되는 환경오염물질에 의하여 남성의 생식력이 감소하였다는 가설에 대하여 국내 정자에 대한 산발적인 여러 연구들을 종합 분석하여 ''정자의 질(semen quality)''을 평가하였다.가임력이 증명된 사람들이 정상에 더 가깝다고 할 수 있기 때문에 가임력증명 여부에 따라 정상대조군만을 포함한 자료(이하 Group I)와 불임환자 중 정상소견을 보인 것을 포함한 자료(이하 Group II)를 구분하여 각각에 대하여 회귀분석을 적용하였다.1980년부터 2003년까지 약 20년간의 자료를 가지고 분석한 결과 한국 남성의 정액질이 감소하고 있다는 명확한 근거는 발견할 수 없었다. 정자의 수를 보면 오히려 2000년 전과 후로 비교해본 결과 그룹 Group I에서 2000년 전 87.32x106/mL, 2000년 후 115.1x106/mL로 Group II에서2000년 전 90.98 x106/mL, 2000년 후 115.1x106/mL로 나타나 정자의 수가 약간 더 늘어난 결과를 보여주고 있다.

[영문]Endocrine Discrupting Chemicals(EDC) utilizing a big transfer model of various mediums that are distributed mainly in urban areas have a typical characteristic in the environmental motion form.Based on the results of researches performed from 1999-2003, the Ministry of Environment conducted a research of several domestic environmental mediums such as air pollution, water quality, and soil condition.This research was done as part of "EDC long-term research plans. "35 ingredients out of 64 were detected in more than one environmental medium.Yet, the overall level was similar with that of the previous examination.The exposure level of Dioxin, Bisphenol A, Phthalate, Nonylphenoll, and PCBs, each of which is one of the representatives of EDCs, was examined in the basis of data from 1999 to 2003.The detection level was equivalent or little lower when compared with the research results conducted by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Japan.All the materials had a trend to be decreased, only except Phthalate.Among the aforementioned five EDCs, the most notable material was Phthalate, representing the higher level beyond a detection limit of 1.0 ng/Nm3.When compared with past year results, the average detection density level of dioxin represents an increase in air quality, degree of water contamination, soil condition, and so forth. However, in overall, it represents a decrease when compared with the results produced for the first five years.According to Skakkebaek's research published in the Journal of British Medical in 1992, it is important to note that EDC had adverse impacts on human beings; that is, the likelihood of testicle cancer could be three times higher and the average number of sperm could be decreased by 50 percent.Further, in 1992, Carlsen made a hypothesis of a reduction in sperm level over time.This hypothesis was confirmed in some degree by other researchers and also being denied due to its limitation.Semen quality was evaluated in the basis of all the domestic researches on a hypothesis of a reduction in semen level over time, resulted from environmentally harmful materials.For the age distribution, it was observed that people over thirties had more average volume and kineticism than those of twenties.Less than two days as the ascetic period represented higher average volume at the significance level of 0.01.There was no significant difference for the age and ascetic period.Based on the analysis of the data collected for 20 years from 1980 to 2003, it was concluded that there was no clear evidence about the fact Korean male''s sperm quality had been deteriorated. In comparison with data of before and after the year of 2000, the number of sperm has been increased continuously, e.g., in the group I, 87.32x106/mL before the year of 2000 and 115.1x106/mL after the year of 2000. In the group II, 90.98x106/mL before the year of 2000 and 115.1x106/mL after the year of 2000.A linear regression analysis was conducted with the following distinction: group I representing a normal condition in semen quality and group II representing an abnormal condition in semen quality.To do the linear regression analysis, the following conditions were made for a comparison purpose:1) asceticism period: before and after two days2) age distinction: 20 years and 30 years old, and3) before and after the year of 2002.The analysis indicated that group I represented a better sperm quality in the average volume, density, and etc….With regard to the average volume and density at the significance level of .01 and .5, respectively, it was seen that along with normal distribution, those after the year of 2000 represented a higher value in the examination of group II in terms of year, age, average volume based on ascetic period, and kineticism.Based on data from 1980-2003, there was no clear evidence that the Korean's semen quality was being decreased over time.