17α-methyltestosterone, main applications and threats to the environment: a brief literature review

Abstract

Population growth drives food industries to seek large-scale production technologies, often involving organic compounds that can negatively impact the environment. One example is 17α-methyltestosterone (17MT), a hormone used to masculinize Nile tilapia, genetically changing females to phenotypically males. Endocrine disruptors such as 17MT can cause harm to health, affecting the growth and reproduction of organisms, and can persist in the environment and in organisms, leading to a compromise in food chains due to bioaccumulation. Different techniques for quantifying and removing the hormone 17MT, such as advanced oxidative processes, nanofiltration systems and wetlands, have been developed in order to minimize impacts on the environment, biota and human beings, in the search for a balance of productivity and sustainability. The objective of this work was to carry out a bibliographical research on the endocrine disruptor 17MT, including characterization, its occurrence in the environment, possible effects on biota and human health.