Glucosaminidase, galactosaminidase, and glucuronidase in the growth plate

The activities of glucosaminidase, galactosaminidase, and glucuronidase were determined in fractions of bovine growth plate cartilage. Glucosaminidase and galactosaminidase activities were lowest in the area corresponding to the reserve cartilage and increased from the upper to the lower portions of the hypertrophic zones of the growth plate, reaching a maximum in the calcifying cartilage. Glucuronidase activity showed a distinct spike of activity in the calcifying cartilage. The spatial distribution of these activities suggests a role in calcification and in the dissolution of the extracellular matrix at the chondro-osseous junction of the growth plate.