Six glycosyltransferases (mannosyl-, glucosyl-, N-acetyl-glucosaminyl-, galactosyl-, sialyl- and fucosyltransferases) are studied and characterized for their optimal conditions and their relations with interfering reactions (glycosyl-nucleotide pyrophosphatases, glycosidases and proteinases) in chondrocytes from osteoarthritic and normal human articular cartilage. Osteoarthritis induces increased activities for five glycosyl-transferases. The observed modifications are not explained by alterations in physico-chemical parameters of the enzymes or by intervention of glycosyl-nucleotide pyrophosphatases, glycosidases or proteolytic enzymes.