Chondrocytes regulate anabolic and catabolic processes to maintain the extracellular matrix components. Catabolic activities depend on the proteolytic action of the matrix -degrading enzymes including ADAMTS (A disintegrin and metalloproteinases) and MMP (Matrix Metalloproteinase). The current study explored the distribution of MMP-9 in normal articular cartilages of the embryos rabbit. Articular cartilage has grown by appositional growth that the perichondrial stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes. MMP-9 positive perichondrial stem cells or chondroblasts and early chondrocytes. Mature chondrocytes exhibited weak immunoaffinity for MMP-9. In conclusion, MMP-9 was essential during chondrocytes growth. The current study alludes to the potential role of MMP-9 during the growth of the articular cartilage.