[Systemic reactions and the central mechanisms of respiratory regulation in adaptation to cold and hypoxia].

Respiratory and circulatory changes in response to various physiological stimuli (hypoxia, cold, etc.) were studied. The respiratory center was found to play the leading role in the developing a response. Upon repeated exposures to cold and hypoxia, the central regulatory mechanisms include nonspecific compensatory mechanisms by changing the sensitivity of the respiratory center and its thresholds. Various regulatory strategies were found at different stages of adaptive processes. There was a correlation between the changes in the respiratory center and thermoregulatory shifts. The respiratory center was demonstrated to play a system-forming role. It is suggested that determination of the sensitivity of the respiratory center may serve for prognostic and diagnostic purposes.