Excitability changes of cortical neurons during the postnatal period in rats exposed to prenatal hypobaric hypoxia

Pregnant rats were exposed to intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (at a simulate d altitude of 7000 m or 5000 m) and the excitability of cortical neurons of their pups was tested. Stimulation of the sensorimotor cortex of rats pren atally exposed to hypoxia shortened the duration of cortical afterdischarge s in 12-day-old rats, but did not change the excitability in 25-day-old ani mals, Shortening of the first afterdischarge in 35-day-old rats but the pro longation of the first afterdischarge in adult rats (as compared to the dur ation of cortical afterdischarges in rats not exposed to prenatal hypoxia) were registered. The possible mechanisms of different excitability of corti cal neurons in rats prenatally exposed to hypobaric hypoxia are discussed.