Are crossbred cattle (F1, Bos indicus x Bos taurus) thermally different to the purebred Bos indicus cattle under moderate conditions?

•Means of metabolic heat production were 2.24 W kg−1 for crossbred and 1.09 W kg−1 for Nellore.•The rectal temperature oscillated 0.6°C for the crossbred and 0.3°C for the Nellore.•The heat storage was higher for crossbred cattle.•Crossbred cattle maintained their thermal balance with high cutaneous evaporation.