Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been reported to inhibit the adipocyte differentiation of preadipocytes in non-ruminant animals (mice, rat, and human). However, the effects of trans-10, cis-12 CLA have not been clear in ruminants. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of trans-10, cis-12 CLA on adipocyte differentiation of ovine preadipocytes. Differentiation of these preadipocytes was facilitated by treatment with trans-10, cis-12 CLA. Trans-10, cis-12 CLA increased the number and size of oil red O-stainable lipid drops as well as the levels of GPDH activity. PPAR-2 and adipophilin mRNA, adipogenic marker genes, were increased by treatment with trans-10, cis-12 CLA. This result was different from that observed with 3T3-L1 preadipocytes, a clonal cell line derived from rodents. Furthermore, trans-10, cis-12 CLA alone induced the adipocyte differentiation of ovine preadipocytes in differentiation-induction medium without troglitazone. These results suggest that CLA is an inducer and regulator in adipocyte differentiation of ovine preadipocytes, with species differences between ovine and rodent preadipocytes.