Abstract
The microflora and metabolic products between the cecum and feces of rats were compared. The microflora of the cecum was similar to that of the feces. However the metabolic products greatly differed between the cecum contents and feces. The pH value was higher and the amounts of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and ammonia were larger in the cecum contents than in the feces. Particularly concerning the SCFA, the level of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were significantly higher in the cecum contents, and the latter were not found in the feces.
