Chondrocyte death by apoptosis is associated with the initiation and severity of articular cartilage degradation.

Aim: To investigate the role of chondrocyte apoptosis in the initiation and severity of articular cartilage (AC) damage.

Methods: Articular cartilage from equine metacarpophalangeal (MCP) (n = 13) and metatarsophalangeal (MTP) (n = 16) joints was used and each graded macroscopically for cartilage degradation (macroscopic osteoarthritis [OA] grade). Cartilage was sampled from six regions on the articular surface of both joint types and graded using a 'modified' Mankin scoring system.