Biological, biochemical and biomechanical characterisation of articular cartilage from the porcine, bovine and ovine hip and knee.
This study aimed to determine the optimal starting material for the development of an acellular osteochondral graft. Osteochondral tissues from three different species were characterised; pig (6 months), cow (18 months) and two ages of sheep (8-12 months and >4 year old). Tissues from the acetabulum and femoral head of the hip, and the groove, medial and lateral condyles and tibial plateau of the knee were assessed. Histological analysis of each tissue allowed for qualification of cartilage histoarchitecture, glycosaminoglycan (GAG) distribution, assessment of cellularity and cartilage thickness. Collagen and GAG content were quantified and cartilage water content was defined. Following biomechanical testing, the percentage deformation, permeability and equilibrium elastic modulus was determined. Results showed that porcine cartilage had the highest concentration of sulphated proteoglycans and that the condyles and groove of the knee showed higher GAG content than other joint areas. Cartilage from younger tissues (porcine and young ovine) had higher cell content and was thicker, reflecting the effects of age on cartilage structure. Cartilage from older sheep had a much higher elastic modulus and was less permeable than other species.
['Fermor|H L|HL|', 'McLure|S W D|SW|', 'Taylor|S D|SD|', 'Russell|S L|SL|', 'Williams|S|S|', 'Fisher|J|J|', 'Ingham|E|E|']
D000375:Aging D000818:Animals D001834:Body Water D002358:Cartilage, Articular D002417:Cattle D003094:Collagen D003198:Computer Simulation D055119:Elastic Modulus D005260:Female D006025:Glycosaminoglycans D006614:Hindlimb D006615:Hip D066298:In Vitro Techniques D008297:Male D008954:Models, Biological D010539:Permeability D012756:Sheep D013045:Species Specificity D013552:Swine
Cartilage glycosaminoglycan cellularity thickness collagen water content percentage deformation permeability equilibrium elastic modulus