Changes in the physiological functions, the mechanisms of their recovery and the temperature limits for life under hypothermia

On the basis of the newest literature and author's own investigations the variations of the main life ensuring functions (the minute volume of respiration, the oxygen transport functions of the blood, the tissue oxygen supply ect) are analyzed under the immersion hypothermia in homoisothermal animals and man. The mechanisms of these function variations under hypothermia of various degree are described. On the basis of the newest theories of cold action on a cell the main physiological mechanisms of oppressing these functions are described, which result in the loss of homoiothermy. The possibilities and regularities of the physiological function resuscitation after deep hypothermia are analyzed. The factors, influencing the level of the lower temperature limit of life in homoiothermal animals, are determined.