Changes in body composition of germ-free and conventional chickens during starvation.

1. Changes in body composition during starvation were compared between germ-free (GF) and conventionalized (CVL) chicks in experiment 1. At 8 days of age, the GF birds were divided into two groups, i.e. GF and CVL groups. The CVL birds were inoculated with faeces from conventionally reared birds. Until 14 days of age, both birds were fed a diet ad lib. and thereafter starved for 6 days. 2. Nitrogen loss during starvation was significantly lower in CVL birds, though the reverse was true for water loss. Fasting heat production was comparable between two environments. 3. Influence of the gut microflora on body weight and nitrogen losses during starvation was investigated in birds prefed diets high or low in dietary protein in experiment 2. 4. No significant effect of the gut microflora was observed in body weight and nitrogen losses. Body weight was severely reduced in birds prefed the high protein diet and nitrogen loss was lower in birds prefed the low protein diet.