Morphometric evaluation of 20 rhesus articular cartilage samples were correlated with hexosamine and an 18–hour incorporation of 35SO4= as a measure of proteoglycan production on samples from the same joint. Reduced chondrocyte cellularity was the basis of the reduced maintenance of the matrix by the chondrocyte. In the more cellular cartilage, the matrix/lacunae area ratio was <25, and the less cellular group had a ratio of >40. An inverse correlation existed between morphometric cartilage matrix/lacunar area ratio and hexosamine content. A significant difference of 35SO4= incorporation was not seen between the three morphometric grades. Morphometric assessment reduces the subjectivity of articular cartilage evaluation.
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