A cytochrome P450 monooxygenase involved in corticoid and androgen biosynthesis (PubMed:22266943, PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894, PubMed:9452426). Catalyzes 17-alpha hydroxylation of C21 steroids, which is common for both pathways. A second oxidative step, required only for androgen synthesis, involves an acyl-carbon cleavage. The 17-alpha hydroxy intermediates, as part of adrenal glucocorticoids biosynthesis pathway, are precursors of cortisol (Probable) (PubMed:25301938, PubMed:9452426). Hydroxylates steroid hormones, pregnenolone and progesterone to form 17-alpha hydroxy metabolites, followed by the cleavage of the C17-C20 bond to form C19 steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (PubMed:22266943, PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894, PubMed:36640554, PubMed:9452426). Has 16-alpha hydroxylase activity. Catalyzes 16-alpha hydroxylation of 17-alpha hydroxy pregnenolone, followed by the cleavage of the C17-C20 bond to form 16-alpha-hydroxy DHEA (PubMed:36640554). Also 16-alpha hydroxylates androgens, relevant for estriol synthesis (PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894). Mechanistically, uses molecular oxygen inserting one oxygen atom into a substrate, and reducing the second into a water molecule, with two electrons provided by NADPH via cytochrome P450 reductase (CPR; NADPH-ferrihemoprotein reductase) (PubMed:22266943, PubMed:25301938, PubMed:27339894, PubMed:9452426). {ECO:0000269|PubMed:22266943, ECO:0000269|PubMed:25301938, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27339894, ECO:0000269|PubMed:36640554, ECO:0000269|PubMed:9452426, ECO:0000305|PubMed:8027220}. This is the function of Ensembl gene identifier ENSG00000148795 (CYP17A1, cytochrome P450 family 17 subfamily A member 1).