Catalyzes the NADPH-dependent reduction of a variety of carbonyl substrates, like aromatic aldehydes, alkenals, ketones and alpha-dicarbonyl compounds (PubMed:26222439, PubMed:21276782). In addition, catalyzes the reduction of androgens and estrogens with high positional selectivity (shows 17-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity) as well as 3-keto-acyl-CoAs (PubMed:25577493). Displays strong enzymatic activity toward all-trans-retinal and 9-cis-retinal (PubMed:26222439). May play a physiological role in retinoid metabolism (PubMed:26222439). No oxidoreductase activity observed with the tested substrates. 17beta-estradiol + NADP(+) = estrone + H(+) + NADPH NADP(+) + testosterone = androst-4-ene-3,17-dione + H(+) + NADPH 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one + NADP(+) = 5alpha-androstan-3,17-dione + H(+) + NADPH 3beta-hydroxyandrost-5-en-17-one + H(+) + NADPH = androst-5-en-3beta,17beta-diol + NADP(+) 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-17-one + H(+) + NADPH = 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol + NADP(+) all-trans-retinol + NADP(+) = all-trans-retinal + H(+) + NADPH 9-cis-retinol + NADP(+) = 9-cis-retinal + H(+) + NADPH allyl alcohol + NADP(+) = acrolein + H(+) + NADPH (E)-hex-2-en-1-ol + NADP(+) = (E)-hex-2-enal + H(+) + NADPH NADP(+) + nonan-2-one = (3E)-nonen-2-one + H(+) + NADPH (2E,6E)-farnesol + NADP(+) = (2E,6E)-farnesal + H(+) + NADPH acetoin + NADP(+) = diacetyl + H(+) + NADPH (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-en-1-ol + NADP(+) = (E)-4-hydroxynon-2-enal + H(+) + NADPH Inhibited by the inhibitor JF0064. kcat is 1.7 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the reduction of androsterone. kcat is 1.1 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the reduction of delta-4-androstenedione. kcat is 1.0 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the reduction of estrone. kcat is 0.5 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the reduction of acetoacetyl-CoA. kcat is 3.0 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the oxidation of 3-alpha,17-beta-androstandiol. kcat is 0.6 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the oxidation of testosterone. kcat is 0.5 min(-1) using isoform 1 for the oxidation of 17-beta-estradiol (PubMed:25577493). kcat is 10.7 min(-1) with D,L-glyceraldehyde as substrate. kcat is 9 min(-1) with pyridine-3-aldehyde as substrate. kcat is 7.3 min(-1) with hexanal as substrate. kcat is 9 min(-1) with acrolein as substrate. kcat is 11.3 min(-1) with trans-2-hexenal as substrate. kcat is 5.2 min(-1) with 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal as substrate. kcat is 4.8 min(-1) with farnesal as substrate. kcat is 1.7 min(-1) with 2,3-butanedione as substrate. kcat is 5.4 min(-1) with all-trans-retinaldehyde as substrate. kcat is 3.8 min(-1) with 9-cis-retinal as substrate (PubMed:26222439). Monomer. Widely expressed. Expressed at highest levels in steroid-sensitive tissues, such as placenta, testis and adipose tissue. Has no counterpart in murine species. Belongs to the aldo/keto reductase family.