Dr. Clémence Belleannée, Ph.D., is a researcher at the CHU Research Centre of Quebec-Laval University and Assistant Professor in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction since 2014. After obtaining her doctorate at the Université François Rabelais de Tours in France, Dr. Belleannée completed two postdoctoral fellowships, one at Laval University and the other at Harvard Medical School / Massachussets General Hospital, where she received the 2009 Epithelial Transport Group Young Investigator award. Two of her publications have received a special mention from the Faculty of 1000 (F1000), for their application in Andrology.
Nowadays, one in ten couples face fertility problems, half of which are associated with male factors. The work done by Dr. Belleannée’s team focuses on the study of biological mechanisms that are at the origin of male infertility. This work aims to improve diagnosis and develop new therapeutic tools in the face of this major public health issue.
1- Decoding the intercellular signals that govern spermatic maturation
The epididymis is a long and unique tubule of the male reproductive system whose dysfunction causes problems in male fertility. During their transit in this organ, testicular spermatozoa will acquire their motility and capacity to recognize and fertilize an oocyte. In humans, this maturation process lasts 4 to 6 days, depending on the somatic cells of the epididymal epithelium. With these cells communicating in a well orchestrated manner, Dr. Belleannée’s laboratory studies the intercellular mechanisms governing spermatic maturation, in which the extracellular vesicles and their molecular cargo (microRNA) play a mediating role. NSERC Grant.
2- Identify the dynamics of epigenetic marks during sperm maturation
Since the first baby born through in vitro fertilization (IVF) in 1978, breakthroughs in assisted reproduction techniques have allowed infertile couples to access effective treatments. However, how these techniques relate to one another– more specifically intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) -, the epigenetic profile of male gametes, as well as the development and health of offspring, is still questioned. Our goal is to 1) define the epigenetic signature of spermatozoa collected at different stages of maturation (testicular vs. epididymal vs. ejaculated spermatozoa) and used in different contexts of infertility treatment, and 2) to evaluate, from murine models, the influence of this signature on the development of offspring. Our long-term goal is to develop strategies, in collaboration with fertility clinics, to limit the risks associated with techniques that are commonly used in fertility clinics. Sick Kids Foundation / CIHR Grant.
2705, boulevard Laurier, T-3-48
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2
- Augière, CélinePostdoctoral fellowCHULceline-pascale-maryline.augiere.1@ulaval.caceline.augiere@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boul. Laurier
T3-74A
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Chen, HongDoctoral studentCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296hong.chen.1@ulaval.cahong.chen@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boul. Laurier
T-3-67
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Fakhari, SepidehDoctoral studentsepideh.fakhari@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
- Girardet, LauraDoctoral studentlaura.girardet.1@ulaval.calaura.girardet@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
- Simoneau, KatherineInternkatherine.simoneau@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Effects of a dietary supplement enriched in palmitoleic acid on fatty acid composition of follicular fluid, granulosa cell metabolism, and oocyte developmental capacity in early lactation dairy cows.
Journal ArticleJ Dairy Sci, 2021, ISSN: 0022-0302.
Hedgehog signaling pathway regulates gene expression profile of epididymal principal cells through the primary cilium.
Journal ArticleFASEB J, 34 (6), pp. 7593-7609, 2020, ISSN: 0892-6638.
From Sperm Motility to Sperm-Borne microRNA Signatures: New Approaches to Predict Male Fertility Potential.
Journal ArticleFront Cell Dev Biol, 8 , pp. 791, 2020, ISSN: 2296-634X.
Sperm-borne miR-216b modulates cell proliferation during early embryo development via K-RAS.
Journal ArticleSci Rep, 9 (1), pp. 10358, 2019, ISSN: 2045-2322.
Anti-mitochondrial autoantibodies in systemic lupus erythematosus and their association with disease manifestations.
Journal ArticleSci Rep, 9 (1), pp. 4530, 2019, ISSN: 2045-2322.
Primary cilia: biosensors of the male reproductive tract.
Journal ArticleAndrology, 7 (5), pp. 588-602, 2019, ISSN: 2047-2919.
Cell-lineage specificity of primary cilia during postnatal epididymal development.
Journal ArticleHum Reprod, 33 (10), pp. 1829-1838, 2018, ISSN: 0268-1161.
Role of the epididymis in sperm maturation
Book ChapterCJ, De Jonge; CLR, Barratt; R, Yanagimachi (Ed.): The sperm cell, pp. 73-87, West Nyack, Cambridge University Press, 2017, ISBN: 9781107126329 (print) / 9781316411124 (ebook) / 1316411125 (ebook).
Evidences of Biological Functions of Biliverdin Reductase A in the Bovine Epididymis.
Journal ArticleJ Cell Physiol, 231 (5), pp. 1077-89, 2016, ISSN: 0021-9541.
(Dicer)phering roles of microRNA in platelets.
Journal ArticleBlood, 127 (14), pp. 1733-4, 2016, ISSN: 0006-4971.
Active projects
- Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec - Université Laval, Subvention, Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec - Université Laval, Centres de recherche affiliés, from 2017-01-01 to 2099-12-31
- Deciphering extracellular microRNA communication system., Subvention, Conseil de recherches en sciences naturelles et génie Canada, Subventions à la découverte SD (individuelles et d'équipe), from 2015-04-01 to 2021-03-31
- Impact of environmental pollutants on epididymal primary cilia and consequences on the Hedgehog pathway - a prospective study, Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies, Projet subsidiaire d'un regroupement stratégique (pour fins de gestion au VRRCI), from 2020-02-01 to 2021-03-31
- Impact of the sperm epigenome on the progeny outcome born by assisted reproductive technology, Subvention, Sick Kids Foundation (The), New Investigator Research Grants, from 2016-07-01 to 2021-12-31
- P.R.I.A.P.E*: Programme de Recherche sur l'Infertilité mAsculine et Physiologie de l'Epididyme, Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé, Chercheur-boursier Juniors 1 et 2, Seniors, from 2020-07-01 to 2024-06-30
- Platelets and neutrophils: the two culprits mediating pain in inflammatory arthritis, Subvention, Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Subvention Projet, from 2020-04-01 to 2025-03-31
- Platelets and neutrophils: the two culprits mediating pain in inflammatory arthritis, Subvention, La société d'arthrite, from 2020-01-01 to 2022-12-31
- Réseau Québécois en Reproduction (RQR), Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Nature et technologies, Regroupements stratégiques NT, from 2017-04-01 to 2023-03-31
- Unravelling the role of primary cilia in the control of male fertility, Subvention, Instituts de recherche en santé du Canada, Subvention Projet, from 2018-10-01 to 2023-03-31
Recently finished projects
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle, Subvention, Institutionnel - BDR, BDR - Centres de recherche reconnus, from 1996-06-01 to 2021-02-02
- Communication extracellulaire dans les systèmes reproducteurs mâles et femelles., Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé, Chercheur-boursier Juniors 1 et 2, Seniors, from 2016-07-01 to 2020-06-30
- Communication extracellulaire dans les systèmes reproducteurs mâles et femelles., Subvention, Fonds de recherche du Québec - Santé, Établissement de jeunes chercheurs - Juniors 1, from 2016-07-01 to 2019-06-30