Catalyzes the conversion of biologically active 11beta-hydroxyglucocorticoids (11beta-hydroxysteroid) such as corticosterone, to inactive 11-ketoglucocorticoids (11-oxosteroid) such as 11-dehydrocorticosterone, in the presence of NAD(+) (PubMed:7649078). Functions as a dehydrogenase (oxidase), thereby decreasing the concentration of active glucocorticoids, thus protecting the nonselective mineralocorticoid receptor from occupation by glucocorticoids (PubMed:7649078, PubMed:34028587). Plays an important role in maintaining glucocorticoids balance during preimplantation and protects the fetus from excessive maternal corticosterone exposure (PubMed:34028587). Catalyzes the oxidation of 11beta-hydroxytestosterone (11beta,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one) to 11-ketotestosterone (17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11-dione), a major bioactive androgen (By similarity). Catalyzes the conversion of 11beta-hydroxyandrostenedione (11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) to 11-ketoandrostenedione (androst-4-ene-3,11,17-trione), which can be further metabolized to 11-ketotestosterone (By similarity). Converts 7-beta-25-dihydroxycholesterol to 7-oxo-25-hydroxycholesterol in vitro (By similarity). 7-beta-25-dihydroxycholesterol (not 7-oxo-25-hydroxycholesterol) acts as ligand for the G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 2 (EBI2) and may thereby regulate immune cell migration (By similarity). an 11beta-hydroxysteroid + NAD(+) = an 11-oxosteroid + H(+) + NADH corticosterone + NAD(+) = 11-dehydrocorticosterone + H(+) + NADH 11beta,17beta-dihydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one + NAD(+) = 17beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,11-dione + H(+) + NADH 11beta-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione + NAD(+) = androst-4-ene-3,11,17-trione + H(+) + NADH Inhibited by glycyrrhetinic acid (By similarity). Induced by progesterone, through the Ihh signaling pathway (By similarity). Steroid metabolism. Interacts with ligand-free cytoplasmic NR3C2. Highly expressed in kidney, adrenal gland and distal colon, and at much lower levels in lung, hypothalamus, hippocampus, and midbrain. Homozygous knockout pups have reduced Na(+) and water content in the skin at birth, but retain higher levels of Na(+) and water in the skin throughout development and into adulthood at the expense of K(+), manifesting hypokalaemia by 15 days of age and contributing to salt sensitive hypertension. Belongs to the short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDR) family. Rats and mice do not produce appreciable cortisol, because they do not express the 17-alpha hydroxylase (Cyp17a1) enzyme in the adrenals.