In order to compare histological differences between the condylar and epiphyseal cartilages, an organ culture system was employed. Materials from 36 neonatal rabbits were cultured for 7 days on three different, chemically defined media (Ham F12, Medium 199, and Eagle's minimum essential medium) with the addition of various concentrations of ascorbic acid, fetal calf serum and NaHCO3. The epiphyseal cartilage was maintained in situ histological and biochemical features better than the condylar cartilage on any of the medium used. The maximum sensitivity to Toluidine Blue staining of the cultured condylar cartilage was observed on Ham F12. For both the condylar and epiphyseal cartilages, Ham F12 with the addition of 50 microgram/ml ascorbic acid and higher concentration of NaHCO3 was more effective on the maintenance of cell organization. However, effect of the addition of fetal calf serum to the medium was quite different between the condylar and epiphyseal cartilages, that is, the former showed better histological features without the addition, but the latter showed features similar to that in situ with 20% addition of fetal calf serum.