The effect of dietary components on cholecystokinin (CCK) release into plasma was investigated in chicks by feeding a meal through a stomach tube, followed by the CCK determination with specific CCK-8 antibody. In experimental 1, the results showed that both isolated soya protein and an amino acid mixture simulating the amino acid composition of the soya protein increased the release of CCK, though to a lesser extent with a delayed response in the former, when added to a protein-free diet. Among amino acids added singly to the protein-free diet, phenylalanine was more efficient than arginine and valine, exerting a response almost identical to the complete amino acid mixture. In experimental 2 and 3, by feeding the protein diets supplemented SBTI, piasma CCK level was promptly increased and this response was in a dose dependent fashion during the measurement time, being higher at 1000 than at 100 mg/kg diet. Since the SBTI supplementation did not affect crop emptying rates significantly, it was concluded that SBTI by itself enhanced CCK release into circulation.