Decrease in Glycosaminoglycan with Aging in Normal Rat Articular Cartilage Is Greater in Females than in Males

OBJECTIVE: Osteoarthritis (OA) is more prevalent in females. We hypothesized that changes in articular cartilage (AC) constituents with aging may cause differences. Herein, we aimed to compare the changes in AC constituents with aging in male and female normal rats. DESIGN: The glycosaminoglycan (GAG) and collagen (COL) contents of the AC in knee, hip, and shoulder joints of male and female rats were quantified and compared between age groups and sexes. RESULTS: The amount of GAG was decreased in multiple joints in both males and females with aging. In females, it had a significant decrease in all joints measured. The decrease in GAG with aging was more severe in females than in males. Even in young rats, the amount of knee joint GAG was significantly less in females than in males. The amount of COL in the AC was unchanged with aging in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The drastic GAG decrease with aging in female normal rats may explain the higher prevalence and more severe OA in females.