Treatment (Table 3) and parity (Table 4) were associated with sow performance, but
no treatment-by-parity interactions were established for any variable measured. The
LUT sows had a mean WEI of 3.9 days. The quality of breeding for all inseminations in this experiment was routinely excellent (rigid stand, good lock, and minimal backflow of semen) and did not differ between LUT and CONT groups (data not shown). The last insemination occurred later after weaning for LUT than for CONT (P .05). Total number of pigs born (born alive plus stillborn) and pigs born alive were higher (P < .01) in LUT than in CONT, and average piglet weight at day 3 after farrowing was independent of treatment (P > .05) (Table 3).The effect of treatment (LUT versus CONT) on total-born litter size and farrowing
rate was also determined for sows whose last insemination was on day 4, 5, or 6 after weaning (Table 5). LUT sows again had more total pigs born than CONT (P < .05), and no effects of day (P > .05) or an interaction of treatment by day were apparent. Farrowing rate was not affected by treatment, day, or their interaction (P > .05; Table 5).