Involved in pollen exine and anther epicuticular layer development. Catalyzes the in-chain hydroxylation of lauric acid (C12:0) preferentially on position 7, generating 7-hydroxylated lauric acid. Does not possess activity with other fatty acids (C14:0, C16:0, C16:1, and C18:0). Participates in a conserved pathway of in-chain hydroxylation of lauric acid required for anther cuticle and pollen exine formation. Directly regulated by TDR, a known regulator of tapetum programmed cell death (PCD) and pollen exine formation. dodecanoate + O2 + reduced [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] = 7-hydroxydodecanoate + H(+) + H2O + oxidized [NADPH--hemoprotein reductase] Expressed in anthers of developing flowers during meiosis, tapetal cell death stage and microspore stage. Male sterile. Defective in pollen exine and anther epicuticular layer development. Belongs to the cytochrome P450 family.