The aim of this study was to establish the extent to which performance, fatty acid (FA) pattern and blood lipids of rabbits are influenced by feeding CLA. Rabbits of the experimental groups were fed diets supplemented with CLA for the whole fattening period (6 wk) or 3 wk before slaughter. No performance improvement in CLA fed rabbits was observed. CLA significantly increased serum triacylglycerols, total and VLDL cholesterol, the proportion of SFA in muscle and liver lipids. In perirenal fat, CLA decreased the proportion of MUFA and increased PUFA. CLA concentration in meat, liver and fat was increased. CLA concentration in tissues was influenced by its content in the diet rather than by the length of CLA feeding. There was no difference in serum lipid content between 3 vs. 6 wk of CLA feeding.