[The structural characteristics of the auditory portion of the cerebral cortex in the Baikal seal (Pusa sibirica) and the neuronal reaction to hypoxia].

Methods of light (Nissl, Golgi-Kopsch) and electron microscopy were used for studying the structural organization of the auditory portion of the cerebral cortex of Pusa sibirica. The auditory port of this kind of cortex is characterized by pyramidization of all the layers (layer IV included), thick layer I, two sublayers in layer III which is typical of other semiaquatic and aquatic mammals. Synaptoarchitechtonics of this part of the neocortex may be compared with that of other aquatic, semiaquatic and terrestrial mammals. The investigation of the state of neurons of the auditory portion of the cortex of Pusa sibirica during induced 18-min hypoxia has shown that the alterations in the neurons are of functional and reversible character. The axosomatic synapses remained most intact. The alterations in the auditory portion of the neo-cortex of Pusa sibirica evidences high level of adaptive reactions to hypoxia associated with the adaptation of these mammals to diving and fixed in the evolutionary process.