The amino acid excretion values in intact and cecectomized negative control roosters used for determining metabolic plus endogenous urinary losses.

Intact and cecectomized adult male, Single Comb White Leghorns were fasted for 24 hr prior to the initiation of the collection period. Excreta were quantitatively collected from each of the unfed control roosters for a 24 to 48 hr fasting period. The amino acids excretion values (mg/bird/24 hr) were not significantly different (P greater than .05) between the intact and cecectomized roosters for histidine or methionine. However, lysine and glutamic acid were significantly different (P less than .05) and all other reported amino acids were significantly different (P less than .01). The results of this preliminary experiment indicate the possible role of the ceca in altering the amino acid excretion values. Additional research is required in the elucidation of cecal involvement, as well as the selection of a proper control for this method of analysis for amino acid availability.