Abstract: Cell death inducing DNA fragmentation factor 45 like effector A（CIDEA） is an essential regulator of various aspects of lipid metabolism, including lipolysis, lipid droplet growth and fusion, lipid accumulation, and oxidation of fatty acids. Lipid metabolism widely affects the growth, development and reproduction of animals, and fat content is closely related to the quality of milk and meat. In recent years, gene-targeting studies have provided novel insights into the physiological function of CIDEA gene in animal lipid metabolism. Here, the recent advances made on CIDEA structure, CIDEA gene tissue expression, transcriptional regulation, the effects of nutrients and hormones on CIDEA expression and its role in lipid metabolism were summarized, which will provide references for the study of the network regulatory mechanisms of the CIDEA gene affecting animal lipid metabolism.