The placental
retention proportion was 4.0% and 17.0% within 12 hours after delivery in the treated and
control animals, respectively (P < 0.01). We found decreases in the calving-to-first-service
interval (73.2 25.1 vs. 81.9 32.8 days; P < 0.01), calving-to-conception interval (93.4
38.8 vs.114.6 42.9 days; P < 0.01), and service per conception (1.5 0.8 vs.1.9 1.0 days; P <
0.01) in the treatment group compared with the control group. The first artificial insemination
conception proportion was higher in the treatment group than in the control group (60.4% vs.
41.1%; P ¼ 0.01). Moreover, the between-group difference in the proportion of cows that were
pregnant within 180 days postpartum approached statistical significance (88.2% vs. 80.6%; P ¼
0.07). Sheng Hua Tang showed beneficial effects in reducing the incidence of retained placenta
and improving subsequent reproductive performance in cows. This preventive treatment
strategy would be effective in improving the management of puerperal health. The potential
benefits of Sheng Hua Tang warrant further investigation to determine whether this preventive
treatment strategy can be endorsed as a general preventive approach in postpartum cows