Disclosed are neocartilage compositions characterized by having multiple layers of cells, said cells being surrounded by a substantially continuous insoluble glycosaminoglycan and collagen-enriched hyaline extra-cellular matrix, and which neocartilage phospholipids are advantageously enriched in anti-inflammatory n-9 fatty acids, particularly 20:3 n-9 eicosatrienoic or Mead acid. Also disclosed are methods of growing neocartilage in substantially serum-free growth media and methods of producing a conditioned growth media containing compounds effective to enhance neocartilage formation. The neocartilage compositions are useful as implants and as replacement tissue for damaged or defective cartilage and as a model system for studying articular cartilage disease and response to natural and synthetic compounds.