Reproductive phase related variations in the expression of neuropeptide, cocaine- and amphetamine- regulated transcript (CART) in the brain and pituitary gland of adult male Microhyla ornata

•First report about the presence of CART in olfactory epithelium (OLF), epiphysis (E) and pars distalis (PD) of anuran.•The study reveals seasonal alterations of CART in anuran brain.•CART may be involved in neuromodulation of breeding and appetite cycle.•Role of CART is evolutionary conserved in anurans. Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptide is a multifaceted neuropeptide involved in several physiological functions including appetite and reproduction. While studies in mammals, aves and fishes suggest evolutionary conserved role of CART, the information in amphibian is scanty. We have investigated the reproductive phase related variations of CART in the brain of adult male Microhyla ornata. Seasonal changes in the expression of CART peptide were noticed in the brain and pituitary of M. ornata. Significant differences were observed in the nucleus infundibularis ventralis (NIV), epiphysis (E), anteroventral tegmental region (AV), raphe nucleus (Ra) of the brain and pars intermedia (PI), pars distalis (PD) of the pituitary. Compared to the pre-breeding and post-breeding seasons, increase in CART immunoreactivity was seen in E, NIV, AV, Ra of brain and PI, PD of pituitary gland of animals collected during breeding season. Similarly, highest mRNA levels of CART were also observed in the breeding season in the middle region of brain that includes hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Variation in the levels of CART peptide and mRNA in the brain of M. ornata suggests its conserved role in seasonal control of appetite and reproduction.