Effects of dietary protein sources and their amino acid compositions on the liver and plasma cholesterol levels in growing Single Comb white Leghorn male chicks were studied. A diet containing isolated soy protein (21% cp) was supplemented with 0.5% DL-methionine and 0.3% L-glycine. and another diet containing casein(21% cp) was supplemented with 1.5% L-arginine HCl, 0.4% DL-methionine. and 1.0% L-glycine. Plasma cholesterol level was markedly lower in groups force-fed the diets containing either soy protein or casein supplemented with amino acids compared to those found in birds fed corresponding diets without amino acids supplementation. The cholesterol lowering effect of the casein diet. when balanced with various supplemental amino acids appeared to be due to arginine instead of methionine or glycine. It is likely that amino acid balance rather than the composition of a specific amino acid is one of the major factors determining the effect of dietary protein sources on the blood cholesterol levels in chicks.