Healing of articular cartilage is a major clinical challenge as it also lacks a direct vasculature and nerves, and carries a limited number of resident chondrocytes that do not proliferate easily. Damaged articular cartilages are usually replaced by fibrocartilages, which are mechanically and structurally weaker and less resilient. Regenerative medicine involving stem cells is considered to have a definitive potential to overcome the limitations associated with the currently available surgical methods of cartilage repair. Among various stem cell types, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are preferred for clinical applications. These cells can be readily derived from various sources and have the ability to trans-differentiate into various tissue-specific cells, including those of the cartilage by the process of chondrogenesis. Compared to embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), no ethical or teratogenic issues are associated with MSCs. These stem cells are being extensively evaluated for the treatment of joint affections and the results appear promising. Unlike human medicine, in veterinary medicine, the literature on stem cell research for cartilage regeneration is limited. This review, therefore, aims to comprehensively discuss the available literature and pinpoint the achievements and limitations associated with the use of MSCs for articular cartilage repair in animal species.

关节软骨的愈合是一项重大的临床挑战，因为它也缺乏直接的脉管系统和神经，并且携带数量有限且不易增殖的常驻软骨细胞。受损的关节软骨通常被纤维软骨替代，纤维软骨在机械和结构上较弱且弹性较小。涉及干细胞的再生医学被认为具有确定的潜力来克服与目前可用的软骨修复手术方法相关的限制。在各种干细胞类型中，间充质干细胞 (MSCs) 是临床应用的首选。这些细胞可以很容易地从各种来源获得，并具有通过软骨形成过程转分化成各种组织特异性细胞的能力，包括软骨细胞。与胚胎或诱导多能干细胞 (iPSCs) 相比，MSCs 没有伦理或致畸问题。这些干细胞正在被广泛评估用于治疗关节疾病，结果似乎很有希望。与人类医学不同，在兽医学中，关于软骨再生的干细胞研究的文献是有限的。因此，本综述旨在全面讨论现有文献，并指出与使用 MSCs 在动物物种中进行关节软骨修复相关的成就和局限性。用于软骨再生的干细胞研究文献有限。因此，本综述旨在全面讨论现有文献，并指出与使用 MSCs 在动物物种中进行关节软骨修复相关的成就和局限性。用于软骨再生的干细胞研究文献有限。因此，本综述旨在全面讨论现有文献，并指出与使用 MSCs 在动物物种中进行关节软骨修复相关的成就和局限性。