  Chondrocytes are described as one cell population in different cartilage
types. The auricular cartilage in mouse and rat contains unique chondrocytes
similar in morphology to white adipocytes and known as lipochondrocytes.
Lipochondrocytes were not mentioned in other species. The current study aimed
to explore the existence of this cell type in rabbits. The auricles of adult
male white rabbits were harvested and processed for histological examination
with light and electron microscopy. With the light microscopy, the auricular
cartilage of adult rabbits contained central large rounded adipocyte-like
chondrocytes, termed in the current study adipochondrocytes The
adipochondrocytes were embedded in relatively wide lacunae and had large lipid
droplets with a rim of cytoplasm. The scanning electron microscopy confirmed
this result. With the transmission electron microscopy, the adipochondrocytes
showed dark nucleus and electron-dense cytoplasm with few organelles and
cytoplasmic processes. The adipochondrocytes of the auricular cartilage in
adult rabbits were unique cell type and different from chondrocytes in other
cartilage subtypes. This result should be considered during cartilage
transplant. Further studies are suggested to investigate the development and
physiological roles of adipochondrocytes in the auricular cartilage in rabbits.
