Basal tension-contraction relationship in the rat uterus. Uterine strips of virgin rats were stretched under increasing basal tension 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 g for 30 min, stimulated with 96 mM KCl, and the contractile response was then recorded and presented (in g/mg tissue wt). Data represent means ± SE, n = 4 to 6. *Significantly different (P < 0.05) from corresponding measurement under 2 g basal tension.