Effects of wheat pentosans on endogenous amino acid losses in chickens

Abstract The effects of wheat pentosans on protein digestibility and endogenous amino acid losses in precision‐fed chickens was investigated using the homo‐arginine marker technique. Addition of pentosans equivalent to 15 g and 35 g of wheat arabinoxylans per kg diet significantly depressed ( P < 005) the overall digestibility of amino acids and increased ( P < 0‐05) endogenous losses of amino acids, but the inclusion of cellulose or polyethylene polymer (92 g per kg diet) had no measurable effects.