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, bureau T3-60-05
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Bernet, AgatheEmployeeCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296+1 418-525-4444, extension 47789+1 418-691-5439Agathe.Bernet@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705, boulevard Laurier
T-3-74-A cubicule 03
Québec, Québec
Canada G1V 4G2 - Bianchi Rodrigues Alves, MairaPostdoctoral fellowCHUL+1 418-525-4444, extension 42296maira.bianchi-rodrigues-alves.1@ulaval.camaira.bianchi-rodrigues-alves@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
2705 Boulevard Laurier
T-3-67
Québec, Qc
Canada G1V 4G2 - Campolina Silva, Gabriel HenriqueInterngabriel-henrique.campolina-silva@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
- 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 - Garneau, NaomieInternnaomie.garneau@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
- Girardet, LauraDoctoral studentlaura.girardet.1@ulaval.calaura.girardet@crchudequebec.ulaval.ca
Platelet microparticles are internalized in neutrophils via the concerted activity of 12-lipoxygenase and secreted phospholipase A2-IIA.
Journal ArticleProc Natl Acad Sci U S A, 112 (27), pp. E3564-73, 2015, ISSN: 0027-8424.
Analysis of epididymal sperm maturation by MALDI profiling and top-down mass spectrometry.
Journal ArticleJ Proteomics, 113 , pp. 226-43, 2015, ISSN: 1874-3919.
Detection and quantification of microparticles from different cellular lineages using flow cytometry. Evaluation of the impact of secreted phospholipase A2 on microparticle assessment.
Journal ArticlePLoS ONE, 10 (1), pp. e0116812, 2015.
The sperm journey in the excurrent duct: functions of microvesicles on sperm maturation and gene expression along the epididymis
Journal ArticleAnim Reprod, 12 (1), pp. 88-92, 2015, ISSN: 1806-9614.
Data in support of peptidomic analysis of spermatozoa during epididymal maturation.
Journal ArticleData Brief, 1 , pp. 79-84, 2014, ISSN: 2352-3409.
Epididymosomes convey different repertoires of microRNAs throughout the bovine epididymis.
Journal ArticleBiol Reprod, 89 (2), pp. 30, 2013, ISSN: 0006-3363.
microRNA signature is altered in both human epididymis and seminal microvesicles following vasectomy.
Journal ArticleHum Reprod, 28 (6), pp. 1455-67, 2013, ISSN: 0268-1161.
CD9-positive microvesicles mediate the transfer of molecules to Bovine Spermatozoa during epididymal maturation.
Journal ArticlePLoS ONE, 8 (6), pp. e65364, 2013.
Bovine sperm raft membrane associated Glioma Pathogenesis-Related 1-like protein 1 (GliPr1L1) is modified during the epididymal transit and is potentially involved in sperm binding to the zona pellucida.
Journal ArticleJ Cell Physiol, 227 (12), pp. 3876-86, 2012, ISSN: 0021-9541.
Region-specific gene expression in the epididymis.
Journal ArticleCell Tissue Res, 349 (3), pp. 717-31, 2012, ISSN: 0302-766X.
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
- Centre de recherche en reproduction, développement et santé intergénérationnelle, Subvention, Institutionnel - BDR, BDR - Centres de recherche reconnus, from 1996-06-01 to 2021-04-30
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 2019-06-30