Abstract
The effects of cecectomy on nitrogen utilization and nitrogen excretion were examined in single comb white leghorn (SCWL) cockerels fed a 5% protein diet supplied with urea. The cecectomy tended to increase nitrogen balance and nitrogen utilization and significantly decreased uric acid excretion (p < 0.01). Urea and ammonia excretion tended to be about 60% increased and decreased by cecectomy in SCWL cockerels, respectively, but blood ammonia, urea and uric acid concentrations were not affected. The results are in good agreement with those obtained previously in cecum-ligated chickens. It is concluded that the improvement of nitrogen utilization and decreases in urinary uric acid excretion in cecectomized chickens do not result from the modification of cecal fermentation.