Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) show nearly unlimited potential in medical and animal science. Currently, understanding of the biological mechanisms regulating ADSC growth in vitro remains very limited. Histone acetylation, an epigenetic modification, plays a key role in maintaining stem cell properties. To further study its effect on ADSC growth characteristics in vitro, we treated goat ADSCs with the histone deacetylase inhibitors trichostatin A (TSA) and vorinostat (SAHA). This inhibited SIRT1 expression and increased histone H3K9 acetylation, leading to decreased cell viability, cell cycle arrest, and apoptosis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction revealed that H3K9 hyperacetylation stimulated transcription of NANOG, OCT4, SOX2, and TERT, but inhibited that of PCNA, P53, and BAX. Western blotting indicated that TSA and SAHA increased protein expression of NANOG, reduced that of SOX2, TERT, PCNA, P53, and BAX, and did not change that of OCT4. These findings provide new experimental evidence contributing to our understanding of the mechanisms underlying ADSC growth characteristics in vitro.