The mechanical strength of skin wounds as well as the deposition of hydroxyproline and KB3H4 reducible hydroxylysinonorleucine (HLNL) and dihydroxylysinonorleucine (DHLNL) cross-links in subcutaneously implanted cellulose sponges have been investigated in rats treated with aminoguanidine (AG) or beta-aminopropionitrile (BAPN). Treatment with AG (25 mg/kg BW/day) did not influence the mechanical strength of the wounds, the deposition of hydroxyproline or the pattern of reducible collagen cross-links, whereas AG (125 mg/kg BW/day) reduced the maximum load by 17%, but did not influence the deposition of hydroxyproline or reducible cross-linking pattern. Treatment with BAPN (333 mg/kg BW/day) reduced the strength of the wounds by 59%, the HLNL by 50% and the DHLNL 57%, whereas the deposition of hydroxyproline did not seem to be influenced by BAPN treatment. In conclusion, AG at moderate dosage does not seem to influence the formation of lysyl oxidase dependent reducible cross-links of collagen.