How do female reproductive hormones work to ensure survival of a zygote in the luteal stage of the menstrual cycle

The two main gonadotrophins in females are FSH (follcile stimulating hormone) and LH (luteinising hormone). FSH is primarily responsible for the recruitment and growth of follicles in the ovary during the follicular stage of the menstural cycle. It indirectly ensures the survival of a zygote as oestogens are released from the developing follicle which proliferates the endometrium. The endometrium will be the surface upon which the blastocyst will burrow into following fertilisation and derive nutrients and protection.

Luteinising hormone is responsible for ovulation, as a spike in the levels of LH will release the egg from the follicle. From here, LH helps to maintain the corpus luteum (the remnants of the follicle). Progesterone is released from the corpus luteum to maintain the endometrium and prevent it from shedding. When fertilisation has occurred, the progesterone will maintain the endometrium until human chorionic gonadotrophin is produced by the blastocyst.