Effect of Cecectomy on Nitrogen Utilization and Excretion in Chickens Fed a Low Protein Diet or a Low Protein Diet Plus Urea

Abstract

The study was carried out to clarify the role of cecum in protein nutrition of the chicken. It was examined in this experiment whether the blocking of entry into the ceca of urine from the cloaca and of digesta escaped from the absorption at the upper intestine by cecectomy. The effects of cecectomy on nitrogen utilization and nitrogen excretion were compared between chickens fed a 5% protein diet and a 5% protein diet supplied with urea. When a 5% protein diet was fed, total nitrogen excretion and nitrogen balance were significantly decreased and increased by the cecectomy, respectively. Similar responses were obtained in chickens fed on a 5% protein diet supplied with urea. The cecectomy in both dietary groups significantly decreased uric acid excretion (P<0.05), urea and ammonia excretion tended to increase and decrease, respectively. None of blood uric acid, urea and ammonia concentrations were significantly changed by cecectomy in either dietary group. It is concluded that the cecectomy decreased uric acid production and tended to increase nitrogen balance, in similar manners that cecal ligated chickens fed on a low protein diet and a low protein diet plus urea.