Emax (% ± S.E.M.)   Emax (% ± S.E.M.) Term-pregnant uterus     Preterm-pregnant uterus     N/OFQ 29.07 ± 1.61   N/OFQ 27.51 ± 4.31   N/OFQ + NST 43.79 ± 3.61 *** N/OFQ + NST 56.29 ± 4.94 *** NST 42.01 ± 9.48   NST 35.55 ± 6.58   NST + N/OFQ 38.24 ± 7.05 ns NST + N/OFQ 37.92 ± 7.40 ns

p<0.001; significances are expressed relative to N/OFQ. ns: non-significant; significances are expressed relative to NST

Table 1: Maximum uterus-relaxant values of nociceptin (N/OFQ) alone and in the presence of Nocistatin (NST); and of NST alone and in the presence of N/OFQ on oxytocin-stimulated uterine contractions on the term- and preterm-pregnant human myometrium in vitro.