Cartilaginous bone extremities of growing monotremes appear unique

Cartilage canals are present in the epiphyseal cartilage of most mammals and birds. They are considered necessary for the maintenance of chondrocytes and for the formation of epiphyseal ossification centers. The epiphyseal cartilage of marsupials was recently shown not to contain cartilage canals, and placental rats appear not to have cartilage canals, although some confusion exists in the literature. The present study examines the cartilaginous epiphyses and physes from the knee and hip of the rat and the two Australian monotremes (platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus and echidna, Tachyglossus aculeatus). In all three species, cartilage canals were absent. Vessels to epiphyseal ossification centers were present, however. In the center of the cartilaginous femoral head of the echidna, but not in the platypus or rat, there was a large cavity, which contained connective tissue and was lined by an endochondrium of chondroproginator cells. These appeared to be contributing to growth of the cartilaginous epiphysis. No similar structure has previously been described in the cartilaginous epiphysis of other species. There was no ligament of the femoral head in the hip joints of the monotremes, and it is suggested the absence of a ligament may be significant in the development of the cavity. It was noted in all specimens that despite being avascular the epiphyseal and physeal cartilage appeared viable and functionally normal. The small size of the cartilaginous epiphyses of the rat may account for their avascularity; but the epiphyses of the monotremes were much larger, especially the echidna, yet still avascular. These features provide strong evidence for fundamental differences between the avascular cartilage of monotremes and the vascular cartilage of most mammals.