Comparative Study on Size and Area of Chondrocytes of Articular Cartilage of Femoral and Tibial Condyles in Buffalo Calf, Adult Buffalo and Adult Cattle

The articular cartilage minimizes contact stresses generated during joint loading and to contribute to lubrication mechanisms in the joint. From the chondral surface to the subchondral bone, the shape and size of the chondrocytes change. Biomechanical properties and functions of the articular cartilage depend upon its cellular and non-cellular constituents. The sample of articular cartilage from the femoral and tibial condyle of cadaver buffalo calf, adult buffalo and adult cattle (6 samples from each animal group) were collected and preserved in 10% formalin. 8 μm thick section of the articular cartilage were stained by H&E for micrometry of the different layers of articular cartilage. Based on the size of the chondrocytes, three layers of the articular cartilage were superficial, middle and deep layer from the articular surface to the chondral surface. The range of mean of length of chondrocytes of the articular cartilage was 12.00 to 24.00 μm. The pooled mean value of width ofchondrocytes of the articular cartilage of the femoral condyle of adult animals were 7.18 ±1.42 μm, 9.77 ± 0.29 μm and 11.43 ± 0.39 μm for the superficial layer, the middle layer and the deep layer, respectively. The pooled mean value of width of chondrocytes of the articular cartilage of the tibial condyle of adult animals were 8.38 ± 0.511 μm, 10.36 ± 0.39 μm and 12.44 ± 0.37 μm for the superficial layer, the middle layerand the deep layer, respectively. The pooled mean value of area of chondrocytes of the articular cartilage of the femoral condyle were 62.98 ± 7.85 μm², 128.4 ± 4.55 μm² and 199.56 ± 10.72 μm² for the superficial layer, the middle layer and the deep layer, respectively. The pooled mean value of area of chondrocytes of the articular cartilage of the tibial condyle were 87.611 ± 8.43 μm², 139.557 ± 8.29 μm² and 219.43 ± 9.955 μm² for the superficial layer, the middle layer and the deep layer, respectively. The area of the chondrocytes of the articular cartilage shows non-significant difference between the age group and between the species group. The length, width and area of the chondrocytes increased from the superficial layer to the deep layer of the articular cartilage in the femoral and tibial condyles in all the age and animal groups.