  We discuss the puzzling experimental results on baryon-antibaryon production
in e+e- annihilation close to the threshold, in particular the fact that
sigma(e+e- --> nbar n) is somewhat greater than sigma(e+e- --> pbar p). We
discuss an interpretation in terms of a two-step process, via an intermediate
coherent isovector state serving as an intermediary between e+e- and the
baryon-antibaryon system. We provide evidence that the isovector channel
dominates both e+e- --> pions and from Nbar N annihilation at rest, and show
that the observed ratio of sigma(e+e- --> nbar n)/sigma(e+e- --> pbar p) can be
understood quantitatively in this picture.
